The Yemeni Civil War started in 2014 with Houthi forces seizing Sanaa, escalating into a humanitarian disaster exacerbated by foreign intervention. Political turmoil under President Saleh led to widespread protests and eventual conflict. Recent events tied to regional issues, including Houthi attacks on Israel, underscore ongoing instability. The war has drawn significant international involvement, signaling a complex and evolving situation.
The Yemeni Civil War, ongoing since 2014, began with the Houthi rebel forces seizing the capital Sanaa amid destabilization from the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011. This conflict, aggravated by Saudi Arabian and UAE military intervention, has led to severe humanitarian crises, including widespread starvation and cholera outbreaks. By 2023, the Houthis initiated strikes on Israel, escalating the conflict during the Israel-Hamas War while targeting shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Ali Abdullah Saleh, who became President of North Yemen in 1978, unified Yemen in the late 1980s. Despite initial economic success due to oil discoveries, Saleh faced persistent opposition from the Zaydi Shi’i population and struggled with deep divides among Yemen’s factions. Years of suppressive leadership destabilized the country by the time Saleh was ousted in 2012.
In 2011, a wave of protests erupted against Saleh’s presidency, inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Thousands in Sanaa protested against corruption and poverty, organized primarily by a wide coalition of opposition groups, including the Houthis. Violent clashes with security forces led to significant casualties and resignations from the government, indicating a declining grip on power.
As unrest spread, Houthi rebels increased their influence in northern provinces. Saleh’s eventual agreement to transfer power in exchange for immunity failed, leading to intense confrontations and civil unrest. Following an assassination attempt on Saleh in June 2011, Vice President Hadi assumed leadership amid continued turmoil and was elected unopposed in 2012.
Despite Hadi’s presidency, Yemen remained deeply divided with persistently high poverty and unemployment rates. The growing discontent fueled Houthi support, exacerbated by economic hardship. In 2014, government fuel subsidy cuts sparked renewed protests, leading to the Houthi takeover of Sanaa and the resignation of President Hadi in January 2015.
Following Hadi’s flight to Aden and subsequent appeal for military intervention, Saudi Arabia led a coalition to impose a blockade and conduct airstrikes against the Houthi forces. By mid-2015, pro-Hadi forces reclaimed parts of southern Yemen, but the Houthi stronghold in the north proved durable despite extensive airstrikes.
By 2016, Yemen faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with millions lacking basic necessities due to war impacts. Amid rising cholera outbreaks, UN-led peace talks sought to pause hostilities but stalled. In late 2017, Saleh was killed by Houthi forces after attempting to negotiate with the Saudi coalition.
The Saudi-led coalition’s continued offensives aimed at taking Hodeidah failed to achieve decisive victories. A fragile UN-mediated cease-fire was established in December 2018, but fighting persisted, leading to worsening humanitarian conditions and chaotic governance.
2020 saw an uptick in violence, emphasizing Houthi aggression amid Saudi military responses. As the COVID-19 pandemic affected global oil markets, Saudi Arabia announced a unilateral cease-fire in April 2020, while southern secessionists declared self-rule, intensifying political fragmentation.
In 2021, Houthi forces targeted Ma’rib as their focus but faced challenges in capturing the oil-rich area. With Hadi resigning and shifting power dynamics, a ceasefire was declared in April 2022, but by October, hostilities resumed. In 2023, direct negotiations emerged between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, reflecting a strategic shift in conflict management.
The situation escalated dramatically in October 2023 following Hamas’s assault on Israel, provoking Houthi missile attacks on Israel. This increased their assertiveness in the region, aiming to leverage the conflict for their benefit while leading to rapid responses from the United States and its allies, marking a significant shift in international involvement in the Yemeni conflict.
The Yemeni Civil War highlights the complex interplay of internal and external forces contributing to ongoing conflict. Following years of political instability and humanitarian crises, the conflict took a broader regional dimension with Houthi actions against Israel. As negotiations unfold, Yemen’s future will depend on balancing internal factions and external military influences in pursuit of a sustainable resolution.
Original Source: www.britannica.com
