Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war
The Saudi-led intervention in Yemen is a military operation that began on March 26, 2015, involving a coalition of countries led by Saudi Arabia.[1] The intervention was launched in response to the ousting of Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi by Houthi forces, who took control of Sanaa, Yemen's capital, in 2014. The conflict is part of the larger Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict and involves multiple Middle Eastern and North African countries.[2]
| Saudi-led intervention in Yemen | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) and the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Belligerents | ||||||||
 Saudi Arabia |
 Houthis | Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
| Salman of Saudi Arabia | Abdul-Malik al-Houthi | Khalid Batarfi | ||||||
| Strength | ||||||||
| 100,000 soldiers (Saudi Arabia)[source?] | 200,000–250,000 fighters[source?] | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | ||||||||
| 1,000–3,000 soldiers killed (Saudi Arabia)[source?] | 12,907 Yemeni civilians killed (estimated by Yemen Data Project) | 377,000+ people killed (UN estimate as of 2021) | ||||||
Background
changeIn 2014, the Houthis, a Zaidi Shia militant group backed by Iran, began protests against the Yemeni government, eventually seizing control of Sanaa and declaring a new administration. The Houthi takeover led to clashes with forces loyal to President Hadi, who fled to Saudi Arabia. This event set the stage for the Saudi-led coalition's intervention.[3][4][5]
Objectives and Operations
changeThe coalition began its intervention under the codename Operation Decisive Storm (Arabic: عملية عاصفة الحزم) with initial airstrikes and a full blockade aimed at weakening the Houthis. After claiming to have achieved initial objectives, the coalition announced a shift to Operation Restoring Hope on April 22, 2015. This operation includes a combination of military action and diplomatic efforts to restore stability in Yemen.[6]
Involvement of Other Nations
changeAlongside Saudi Arabia, coalition forces include Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, with each providing air or ground support. Other countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and France, have provided logistical support, intelligence, and arms.
Humanitarian Impact and Criticism
changeThe intervention has been widely criticized for its humanitarian impact, with thousands of civilians killed and infrastructure severely damaged. The Yemen Data Project reports over 8,000 civilian deaths due to coalition airstrikes. The United Nations estimates that the conflict has contributed to over 377,000 deaths, including indirect causes such as famine and lack of healthcare.
Recent Developments
changeIn 2022, Saudi Arabia declared a unilateral ceasefire to facilitate peace negotiations. In April 2023, most restrictions on commercial goods were lifted following Oman-mediated talks between Houthi and Saudi officials. Although open hostilities have largely decreased, ongoing peace talks have been complicated by recent Houthi attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea.
See Also
changeReferences
change- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-prison-idUSKCN0PA2JZ20150630
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN0NK0N020150429
- ↑ MacAskill, Ewen; correspondent, Ewen MacAskill Defence (2016-01-27). "UN report into Saudi-led strikes in Yemen raises questions over UK role". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
{{cite news}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ↑ http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/10/28/doctors-without-borders-says-saudi-led-airstrikes-bomb-yemen-hospital/
- ↑ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-air-strike-bomb-kills-140-saudi-arabia-usa-white-house-a7352386.html
- ↑ Chandler, Adam (2015-10-02). "The U.S. Looks the Other Way in Yemen". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-11-04.