Arab Coalition (2015–present)

Arab Coalition (2015–present)
Name	Arab Coalition (2015–present)
Active	2015–present
Role	Multinational intervention force
Size	Variable
Headquarters	Riyadh
Battles	Yemeni Civil War, Battle of Aden, Battle of Taiz, Battle of Hudaydah
Notable commanders	Mohammed bin Salman, Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Mansour Al-Shehail

Arab Coalition (2015–present) The Arab Coalition (2015–present) is a multinational military alliance formed in 2015 and led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to intervene in the Yemeni Civil War against the Houthis and affiliated groups. The coalition encompasses states from the Middle East and North Africa and has engaged in aerial campaigns, naval blockades, and support to Southern Transitional Council-aligned forces and Hadi government elements. Its operations intersect with regional security concerns involving Iran, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Background and Formation

The coalition announced its formation following the Houthi takeover of Sana'a and the 2014–15 Yemeni coup d'état, citing appeals from Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and requests by the Gulf Cooperation Council for intervention. Initial members included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar (until 2017), and Egypt, with logistical and political backing from states such as Jordan and Morocco. Formation drew on precedents like the Gulf War coalition and legal arguments referencing UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and invitations from internationally recognized Yemeni authorities. Early operations referenced doctrines and assets familiar from Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope frameworks.

Membership and Command Structure

Membership has been fluid, with principal contributors including Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Bahraini Defence Force, Kuwait Armed Forces, and contingents from Egyptian Armed Forces and Jordan Armed Forces. Command and control mechanisms centered in Riyadh coordinated air operations, naval interdiction, and advisory missions, while tactical command included UAE-led units in Aden and Saudi-led units in Marib. Notable commanders and political patrons included figures like Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Bahraini leadership such as Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Liaison occurred with US Central Command, Royal Air Force, French Air Force, and intelligence partners including agencies from United Kingdom, United States, and France.

Military Operations and Campaigns

The coalition launched widespread air campaigns over Yemeni provinces including Sana'a Governorate, Taiz Governorate, Hudaydah Governorate, and Aden Governorate, engaging in major confrontations like the Battle of Aden, the Battle of Taiz, the Battle of Marib, and the Battle of Hudaydah. Naval blockades and interdiction efforts targeted arms shipments allegedly linked to Iran and involved actions in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. Ground support was channeled to anti-Houthi factions, including the General People's Congress dissidents and Southern Transitional Council forces, while counterterrorism operations confronted Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Yemen Province. The coalition coordinated ceasefire arrangements such as the Stockholm Agreement (2018) negotiations over Hudaydah and participated in subsequent deconfliction talks mediated by the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen.

Political Objectives and International Relations

Politically, the coalition aimed to restore Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi's government, counter perceived Iranian influence in the Arabian Peninsula, and secure maritime chokepoints like the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to protect global shipping interests involving actors such as International Maritime Organization-linked carriers. Diplomatically, members courted support from United States, United Kingdom, France, and Turkey while facing criticism from European Union states and scrutiny from United Nations Human Rights Council. The intervention influenced regional alignments, affecting relations among Gulf Cooperation Council members, altering dynamics with Qatar post-2017 blockade, and interacting with broader rivalries exemplified by the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict and negotiations like the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action context.

Humanitarian Impact and Legal Issues

Coalition operations coincided with widespread humanitarian crises in Yemen, including famine risk, cholera outbreaks, and infrastructure collapse affecting Sana'a and port cities such as Hudaydah and Aden. Blockades and air campaigns impacted delivery channels coordinated by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, World Food Programme, and UNICEF, complicating aid to internally displaced persons and refugees registered with UNHCR. Legal debates addressed compliance with International Humanitarian Law, allegations of unlawful targeting, the role of International Committee of the Red Cross in monitoring, and questions raised in submissions to the International Criminal Court and the UN Human Rights Council commissions of inquiry.

Criticism, Controversies, and Accountability

The coalition faced sustained criticism for civilian casualties, strike patterns affecting markets, hospitals, and schools in Yemen, and incidents such as attacks on El Houthi-controlled areas documented by NGOs like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Controversies included arms sales controversies involving United Kingdom–Yemen relations, United States–Saudi Arabia relations, and debates in national legislatures such as the US Congress and the British Parliament over export licenses. Accountability efforts involved inquiries by the UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, investigations by national human rights institutions, and calls for sanctions from entities like the European Parliament. Some coalition members initiated internal review mechanisms and modifications to targeting policies following international pressure and legal advisories from institutions including the International Court of Justice-related commentary and the International Committee of the Red Cross guidance.

Category:Military coalitions Category:Middle East politics Category:Yemeni Civil War