Yemen’s Brutal Civil War: Proxy Conflict Between Saudi Arabia and Iran Intensifies
Yemen has been embroiled in a brutal civil war since 2014, when the Houthi rebels captured the capital city of Sana’a, resulting in the internationally recognized government retreating to Aden in the south. This conflict has been viewed as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia, a Sunni-majority nation, and Iran, a Shia-led country, both of which are major regional powers.
Reports suggest that the Houthi rebels receive support from Iran, while Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in a coalition fighting on behalf of the Yemeni government against the Houthis. Efforts have been made to improve the situation, with talks between the Houthis and Saudis, as well as a China-brokered detente between Riyadh and Tehran. However, the ongoing war in the region continues to exacerbate tensions.
Recent developments have added a new dimension to the conflict. It is reported that the Saudis, in a surprising move, have joined the United States in intercepting missile strikes attempted by the Houthis on Israel. This marks the first time that the kingdom, which has not formally recognized Israel since its establishment in 1948, has taken such action.
The Houthis, who belong to the Zaydi Shia Islamic minority, are primarily concentrated in Yemen’s northwestern Sa’dah province. Their insurgency emerged in the 1990s as a response to increasing Saudi influence in the region. Although the two sides have had a complex relationship, Yemen’s ties with Saudi Arabia have been strained over the years.
A historical factor contributing to this tension dates back to 1934 when Yemen declared war on Saudi Arabia over a border dispute. This conflict eventually ended with a treaty settling the border issues. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is believed to have played a proxy role in the eight-year Yemen civil war, starting in 1962, siding with the royalists after the overthrow of the monarch-led Yemen Arab Republic by sections of the armed forces.
It is against this backdrop that the Houthi movement arose, aiming to counter the growing influence of Saudi Wahhabism in northern Yemen. Founded by Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a former member of parliament, the movement criticized President Saleh’s alleged alignment with the United States and Israel. They garnered support through anti-government demonstrations, ultimately seizing control of the capital in 2014.
Iran’s role in supporting the Houthi rebels has also been a subject of concern. According to a recent report by the US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force has provided the Houthis with training and a wide array of sophisticated weaponry, including guided missiles, mines, UAVs, and unmanned maritime vehicles. The report is based on an analysis of thousands of Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
The war in Yemen has led to widespread devastation, triggering a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both parties involved in the conflict have committed serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, potentially amounting to war crimes. The conflict has left 80% of the population struggling to access basic services and put food on the table.
The situation in Yemen remains highly complex and delicate. Efforts toward a peaceful resolution involving all parties are crucial to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and restore stability in the region. The world looks on, hoping for an end to this brutal civil war and the beginning of a brighter future for Yemen.
