The Yemen Civil War is one of the most devastating and complex conflicts of the 21st century, involving local, regional, and international actors. The war has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis suffering from hunger, disease, and displacement. The conflict, which began in 2014, has its roots in Yemen's historical divisions, political instability, and regional rivalries.
The roots of the Yemen Civil War can be traced back to the unification of North and South Yemen in 1990. The unification brought together two very different political and social systems, creating tensions between the north, traditionally ruled by tribal elites, and the more secular south. Discontent with the central government, economic inequality, and the marginalization of southern Yemenis led to a brief civil war in 1994, which was ultimately won by the northern forces under President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saleh ruled Yemen for over three decades, during which corruption, mismanagement, and tribal patronage were rampant, further exacerbating social and economic grievances.
In 2011, the Arab Spring protests reached Yemen, leading to widespread demonstrations against Saleh's rule. After months of protests and violence, Saleh agreed to step down in 2012 in a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He was succeeded by his vice president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who faced numerous challenges, including a deteriorating economy, rising militant activity by al-Qaeda, and growing discontent among various factions.
One of the main factions that emerged during this period was the Houthi movement, a group of Shia rebels from northern Yemen who felt marginalized by the central government. The Houthis, who follow the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam, had been involved in multiple uprisings against the government since the early 2000s. In 2014, taking advantage of the weakened state of the central government, the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sana'a, and forced President Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis were supported by former president Saleh, who allied with them in a bid to regain power.
In March 2015, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched a military intervention in Yemen, aimed at restoring Hadi's government and pushing back the Houthi forces. The coalition received support from Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, in the form of intelligence, logistics, and arms sales. The Saudi-led intervention has been characterized by widespread airstrikes, which have caused significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The Yemen Civil War has also become a proxy conflict between regional powers Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Saudis view the Houthis as an Iranian proxy and fear that Houthi control of Yemen would give Iran a foothold on the Arabian Peninsula. Iran, while denying direct involvement, has provided political and some material support to the Houthis, further fueling tensions between the regional rivals.
The war has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis in desperate need of assistance. The blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition has restricted the flow of food, fuel, and medical supplies, contributing to widespread famine and the outbreak of diseases such as cholera. The United Nations has described the situation in Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with over 24 million people—nearly 80% of the population—in need of humanitarian aid.
In addition to the Houthi-Saudi conflict, Yemen is also plagued by separatist movements in the south and the presence of extremist groups such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and ISIS. The Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE, seeks independence for southern Yemen, adding another layer of complexity to the already fragmented conflict.
Efforts to broker peace in Yemen have so far been unsuccessful. The UN has facilitated multiple rounds of peace talks, but deep mistrust between the warring parties and the involvement of external actors have made it difficult to reach a lasting agreement. In 2018, the Stockholm Agreement led to a ceasefire in the port city of Hodeidah, a key lifeline for humanitarian aid, but the broader conflict has continued.
The Yemen Civil War remains a tragic example of how local grievances, political instability, and regional power struggles can create a protracted and devastating conflict. The people of Yemen continue to bear the brunt of the war, with no clear end in sight and the prospects for peace remaining uncertain.