The Yemeni Civil War has persisted since 2014, triggered by the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and exacerbated by foreign interventions. Rooted in the legacy of former President Saleh’s regime, the conflict has resulted in widespread humanitarian crises. In 2023, the Houthis expanded their aims to regional engagements against Israel and shipping in the Red Sea, prompting significant international responses.
The Yemeni Civil War, which began in 2014, ensued following the takeover of the capital, Sanaa, by Houthi rebel forces amid the destabilization resulting from the Arab Spring. The conflict has led Yemen to the brink of famine and caused one of the worst cholera outbreaks in history. As of 2020, Houthi forces appeared dominant as foreign troops began withdrawing, and in 2023 the conflict expanded as they targeted Israel and commercial vessels in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas War.
The roots of Yemen’s turmoil can be traced to Ali Abdullah Saleh, who unified North and South Yemen in the late 1980s. Despite holding power for over three decades, Saleh’s regime faced growing discontent among the Zaydī Shiʿi population and southern factions, leading to the emergence of the Houthi movement in the early 2000s. Saleh’s eventual removal in 2012 exposed deep societal divisions and grievances that remained unresolved, leading to further unrest.
The Arab Spring inspired protests in Yemen in 2011 against President Saleh, reflecting widespread frustration with poverty and corruption. Unlike uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, Yemeni protests were organized by various opposition groups, including the Houthis. Clashes with security forces resulted in numerous casualties, prompting some Yemeni officials to resign in protest. However, Saleh’s government remained resistant to proposed concessions.
In 2015, as civil unrest escalated, the Houthi rebels seized control of Sanaa, leading President Hadi to resign and subsequently seek refuge outside Yemen. His appeal for foreign military intervention was met with a coalition led by Saudi Arabia that sought to counter the Houthi advance on Aden, but efforts to remove the Houthis from northern Yemen faced significant challenges, as civilian casualties mounted.
Despite efforts to negotiate peace, by 2016 Yemen was engulfed in a humanitarian crisis with famine and diseases affecting millions. The conflict deteriorated into a stalemate, exacerbated by military confrontations, including the Houthi rebels’ eventual split from former President Saleh. In early 2018, southern secessionists, allied with Hadi’s government, seized control of Aden, further complicating the situation.
In June 2018, the Saudi-led coalition attempted to retake Hodeidah, a crucial port for humanitarian aid, resulting in U.N.-brokered cease-fires that were often violated. By 2019 and into early 2020, fighting fluctuated as the Houthi militia engaged with Saudi forces amid a broader political landscape that continued to evolve. The COVID-19 pandemic added economic uncertainties that prompted Saudi Arabia to negotiate a cease-fire by April 2020.
The conflict persisted, with Houthi forces launching offensives in 2021, particularly around Maʾrib, critical for Hadi’s regime. A cease-fire announced in April 2022 allowed for renewed dialogue, culminating in Hadi’s resignation and the formation of a council to replace him. However, in 2023, as Saudi Arabia sought a negotiated exit, direct discussions with the Houthis commenced.
The onset of the Israel-Hamas War in October 2023 marked a critical point, as the Houthis directed attacks on Israel and vessels in the Red Sea. These developments underscored the Houthis’ ambition to extend their influence in regional conflicts. In response, the United States launched military strikes against the Houthi rebels, denoting their designation as a terrorist organization, which further complicated international dynamics in the region.
The ongoing Yemeni Civil War illustrates a complex interplay of local grievances, regional power struggles, and international interventions. While the war continues to bring humanitarian suffering, the actions of the Houthi rebels and their ambitions have drawn broader regional concerns, particularly following their aggressive posturing amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. The quest for a lasting resolution requires navigating these intricacies and addressing the underlying issues that have fueled the conflict.
Original Source: www.britannica.com
