The Yemeni Civil War, ongoing since 2014, began with the Houthi rebels capturing Sanaa amid the Arab Spring aftermath. The conflict has resulted in extreme humanitarian crises and an unprecedented cholera outbreak. As of 2023, Houthi forces escalated their military actions, attacking Israel and shipping lanes, while Saudi Arabia seeks to negotiate peace and manage regional influences.
The Yemeni Civil War, which began in 2014, has devastated Yemen, particularly after the Houthi rebels captured the capital, Sanaa, which was already unstable due to the Arab Spring uprising. The situation deteriorated, leading to severe famine and the worst cholera outbreak in history. As of 2023, the Houthis have escalated the conflict by attacking Israel and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, following the Israel-Hamas War.
The conflict roots trace back to Ali Abdullah Saleh’s presidency, which began in 1978 and lasted until he was ousted in 2012 amid increased dissent. Saleh’s government could not placate the Zaydi Shiʿi population, leading to the emergence of the Houthi movement in the early 2000s. Initial efforts to unify Yemen faced challenges from various factions, revealing deep societal divides under Saleh’s strong-handed rule.
The Arab Spring ignited protests across Yemen, beginning in January 2011, as thousands demanded Saleh’s resignation due to rampant poverty and corruption. Although Saleh attempted concessions, violent clashes followed, resulting in deaths among protesters. His eventual acknowledgment of impending departure signaled a shift in power dynamics within the nation.
As unrest escalated, the Houthis gained traction, particularly in northern Yemen. Following Saleh’s departure, Vice President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi was installed as acting president, leading to unsuccessful attempts to establish stability. Discontent deepened as economic conditions worsened, contributing to increased support for Houthi rebels and southern secessionist sentiments.
The situation worsened in 2014 with Hadi’s administration cutting fuel subsidies, igniting further protests. By September of that year, the Houthis had overtaken Sanaa, ultimately capturing the presidential palace in January 2015, directly leading to the dissolution of parliament and a new governance structure overseen by the Houthis.
Hadi fled to Aden, claiming to be Yemen’s legitimate president, leading to Saudi-led military intervention in March 2015 to halt the Houthi advance. The coalition’s airstrikes initially succeeded in retaking Aden but struggled to clear the Houthis from Sanaa, despite extensive civilian casualties and humanitarian crises unfolding.
In December 2018, a fragile ceasefire was implemented in Hodeidah, a key port city, under UN monitoring, yet sporadic violence persisted. The Houthis’ control over Hodeidah, vital for supplies, further complicated the conflict. As stalemate ensued, efforts for peace were hampered by deepening humanitarian despair and political fragmentation.
In 2020, the Houthis escalated offensives, capitalizing on Saudi Arabia’s economic challenges amidst the pandemic. The Southern Transitional Council declared self-rule, complicating Hadi’s government dynamics. Meanwhile, the fight for Maʾrib continued but remained unsupported by sustainable political resolutions.
In 2023, direct discussions initiated between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels dug deeper into negotiations concerning oil revenues. However, tensions rapidly escalated following Hamas’s attack on Israel, with Houthi forces targeting Israel and maritime routes, further intertwining the Yemeni conflict with broader regional issues.
The Yemeni Civil War, which has persisted since 2014, underscores the complex interplay of historical, political, and social factors leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. The conflict remains unresolved, with the Houthi escalation in response to regional tensions and Saudi efforts for dialogue reflecting the ongoing challenges. A cohesive peace agreement remains elusive as Yemen’s divisions and external influences continue to shape the trajectory of this devastating conflict.
Original Source: www.britannica.com
