Yemeni Civil War

Yemeni Civil War. The conflict involves the Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, and the Yemeni government led by Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, with support from the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. The war has also involved Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The conflict has been influenced by regional powers, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the United States and United Kingdom providing support to the Saudi-led coalition.

Background

The Yemeni Revolution in 2011 led to the resignation of Ali Abdullah Saleh as President of Yemen, with Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi taking over as the new president. However, the transition was marred by the National Dialogue Conference, which failed to address the grievances of the Houthi movement and the Southern Movement. The Houthi movement, backed by Iran, began to take control of Sana'a and other parts of Yemen, leading to a conflict with the Yemeni government. The conflict has also involved Ali Abdullah Saleh, who formed an alliance with the Houthi movement, and Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who has been a key player in the Saudi-led intervention.

Causes of the War

The causes of the war are complex and multifaceted, involving issues such as sectarianism, regionalism, and economic inequality. The Houthi movement, which is predominantly Zaidi Shia, has been fighting against the Yemeni government, which is seen as being dominated by Sunni Islam. The conflict has also been influenced by regional powers, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, which have been competing for influence in the Middle East. The United States and United Kingdom have also been involved in the conflict, providing support to the Saudi-led coalition, which includes United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt. The conflict has been further complicated by the involvement of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which have taken advantage of the chaos to launch attacks against the Yemeni government and the Houthi movement.

Course of the War

The war began in 2015, when the Houthi movement, backed by Iran, launched a coup against the Yemeni government. The Yemeni government responded by launching a counterattack, with support from the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. The conflict has involved several key battles, including the Battle of Sana'a and the Battle of Taiz. The war has also involved a blockade of Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition, which has had a devastating impact on the Yemeni economy and the Yemeni people. The conflict has been marked by numerous human rights abuses, including the use of cluster bombs and airstrikes against civilian targets. The United Nations has been involved in efforts to broker a peace agreement, with António Guterres and Martin Griffiths playing key roles in the negotiations.

Humanitarian Crisis

The war has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with millions of people in need of aid. The conflict has caused widespread famine, disease, and displacement, with the United Nations estimating that over 20 million people are in need of assistance. The World Health Organization has reported numerous outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria, while the United Nations Children's Fund has warned of a genocide against Yemeni children. The conflict has also had a devastating impact on the Yemeni economy, with the Yemeni rial losing significant value against the United States dollar. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement have been working to provide aid to those affected by the conflict, with support from the European Union and the United States Agency for International Development.

International Involvement

The conflict has involved significant international involvement, with the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen receiving support from the United States, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates. The Iran-backed Houthi movement has also received support from Hezbollah and other Shia militant groups. The United Nations Security Council has passed several resolutions on the conflict, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2456. The European Union has also been involved in efforts to broker a peace agreement, with Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell playing key roles in the negotiations. The conflict has been further complicated by the involvement of Russia and China, which have vetoed several United Nations Security Council resolutions on the conflict.

Aftermath and Repercussions

The aftermath of the war is likely to be complex and far-reaching, with significant implications for the Middle East and the global economy. The conflict has already had a devastating impact on the Yemeni people, with millions of people in need of aid. The war has also had significant implications for the global economy, with the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, being a critical shipping lane for oil and other goods. The conflict has been widely condemned by the international community, with the United Nations and the European Union calling for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations. The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to several individuals and organizations working to promote peace and human rights in Yemen, including Tawakkol Karman and the Yemeni Organization for Defending Rights and Democratic Freedoms. The conflict has also been the subject of several documentaries and films, including The War in Yemen and Yemen: The Hidden War.