Yemeni Civil War

How the War Began

The Yemeni War began in 2014 when Houthi forces took over the capital city of Sanaa, which was followed with a rapid Houthi takeover of the government. On March 21, 2015 the Houthi-led Supreme Revolutionary Committee declared a general mobilization to overthrown then president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and expand there control by driving into southern provinces. By the 25th of march Lahij (city between Ta'izz and Aden), fell to the Houthi and they reached the outskirts of Aden, the seat of power for Hadi's government (Wiki).

The Different Involving Factors in the War

There are a total of four technical sides who are fighting in the war. The first is the Houthi forces in which control Saada, Amran, Hajjah, Sanaa, and most of Hudaydah. Next we have the Yemeni government forces which have control of Marib. Third group is the UAE-backed anti-Houthi forces opposed to the government, in which this group has control over a little coastal section in the southwest. The fourth and final sides the war is the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, obtain and control Aden and majority of the southern part of the country (BBC).

Yemen: Areas of control and conflict

Major Concerns with The War

The United States is deeply invest in combating terrorism and violent extremism in Yemen, having collaborated with the Yemeni government on counterterrorism since the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000. Since 2002, the United States has carried out nearly four hundred strikes in Yemen. While Houthi rebels do not pose a direct threat to the United States, their attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure and territory threaten an important U.S. partner (GCT).

In April 2022, Yemen's internationally recognized president, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, resigned to make way for a new seven-member presidential council. Coming to power through an uncontested election in 2012, Hadi was only meant to serve as a transitional presidnet following Saleh's resignation. Instead, he served for ten years, seven of which he spent governing in exile in Saudi Arabia. His rare appearances and disconnection from events on the ground left him unpopular, and the leadership change makes the government more representative of its various factions. Rashad al-alimi, a Hadi advisor with close ties to Saudi Arabia and powerful Yemeni politicians, chairs the new council (GCT).

Positive Movement For The End of War

Talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in April 2023, mediated by China, have raised hopes of a politcal settlement to end the conflict in Yemen. The talks lead to a breakthrough agreement to re-establish diplomatic relations and re-open both sides' embassies after years of tension and hostility. Iran's UN mission said that the agreement could accelerate efforts to renew the lapsed cease-fire (GCT).

Bibliography

BBC. (2023, April 14). Yemen: Why is the war there getting more violent?. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423

Council on Foreign Relations. (n.d.). War in Yemen | global conflict tracker. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/war-yemen

Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, October 1). Yemeni Civil War (2014–present). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_civil_war_(2014%E2%80%93present)