Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)

Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)
Conflict	Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)
Date	2015 - present
Place	Yemen
Result	Ongoing

Yemeni Civil War (2015-present) is a complex and multifaceted conflict involving various factions, including the Houthis, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The conflict has its roots in the Arab Spring protests that swept the Middle East in 2011, including Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. The war has involved various regional and international actors, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and the United States, with the United Nations playing a key role in attempting to broker a peace agreement, as seen in the Geneva Conference (2015). The conflict has had significant humanitarian and geopolitical implications, including the displacement of millions of people, the destruction of infrastructure, and the exacerbation of regional tensions, as highlighted by the Camp David Summit.

Background

The Yemeni Revolution of 2011, inspired by the Arab Spring, led to the resignation of long-time President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh and the transition of power to Vice President of Yemen Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. However, the transition process was marred by corruption, instability, and the rise of militant groups, including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Houthis, who have received support from Iran and have been involved in conflicts with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Houthis, a Shiite minority group, have historically been marginalized in Yemen and have sought greater representation and autonomy, as seen in the Sa'dah War. The Gulf Cooperation Council and the United Nations have played key roles in attempting to stabilize the country, as seen in the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2014.

Causes of the War

The immediate cause of the war was the Houthi takeover of Sana'a in September 2014, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister of Yemen Mohamed Basindawa and the dissolution of the Yemeni Parliament. The Houthis then established a Supreme Revolutionary Committee to govern the country, which was met with resistance from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and other militant groups, as well as from the Saudi-led coalition, which includes Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. The conflict has also been fueled by regional rivalries, including the competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran for influence in the Middle East, as seen in the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War. The United States has provided military support to the Saudi-led coalition, while Russia and China have vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at ending the conflict, as seen in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216.

Course of the War

The war began in March 2015, when the Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against the Houthis in response to their takeover of Sana'a and the perceived threat to regional stability, as seen in the Battle of Aden. The conflict has involved intense fighting in various parts of the country, including Aden, Taiz, and Marib, with the Houthis using ballistic missiles and drones to attack Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as seen in the Abqaiq-Khurais attack. The Saudi-led coalition has responded with airstrikes and ground operations, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, as highlighted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The conflict has also involved the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council, which seeks independence for South Yemen, as seen in the Battle of Zinjibar.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced, injured, or killed, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The country is facing a severe shortage of food, water, and medical supplies, with the World Health Organization warning of a potential cholera epidemic, as seen in the 2016-2017 Yemen cholera outbreak. The conflict has also had a significant impact on the country's infrastructure, including the destruction of hospitals, schools, and water treatment plants, as highlighted by the United Nations Development Programme. The United Nations has launched a humanitarian appeal to address the crisis, with organizations such as the International Rescue Committee and Oxfam providing aid to affected populations, as seen in the 2019 Yemen humanitarian response.

International Involvement

The conflict has involved significant international involvement, with various countries providing military, economic, and diplomatic support to the warring parties, as seen in the Riyadh Agreement and the Stockholm Agreement. The United States has provided military support to the Saudi-led coalition, while Iran has been accused of providing military support to the Houthis, as reported by the United States Department of State and the European Union. The United Nations has played a key role in attempting to broker a peace agreement, with the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen working to facilitate negotiations between the warring parties, as seen in the United Nations-led peace talks. The conflict has also been the subject of significant international attention, with the European Union, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council all calling for an end to the violence, as seen in the European Union's statement on Yemen and the Arab League's statement on Yemen.

Aftermath and Current Situation

The conflict is ongoing, with the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition engaged in intense fighting in various parts of the country, as reported by the BBC News and the Al Jazeera. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with millions of people in need of aid, as highlighted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and a negotiated settlement to the conflict, with the United Nations playing a key role in facilitating negotiations, as seen in the United Nations-led peace talks. The conflict has significant implications for regional stability, with the potential to exacerbate tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran and to destabilize the broader Middle East region, as seen in the Iran-Saudi Arabia proxy conflict and the Middle East peace process. The United States, Russia, and China all have significant interests in the region and are likely to continue to play a role in shaping the conflict, as seen in the United States' foreign policy in the Middle East and the China's foreign policy in the Middle East.

Category:Conflicts in 2015