Yemen:
The contemporary state of Yemen was formed when the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) merged with the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) in May 1990. The country did not unify successfully, however, and Yemen’s recent history is marked by political, tribal and religious conflict. In the Yemen Uprising of 2011-12, thousands of pro-democracy protesters flocked to the streets to demand the resignation of President Saleh. In November 2011, President Saleh agreed to hand over power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, but this move did not dissipate the violence. In September 2014, the rebel Houthis, said to be backed by Iran, seized control of Yemen’s capital – Sanaa. The following month, President Hadi and his government fled to southern Yemen, leaving Houthi forces in control of the North. In March 2015, in support of President Hadi’s government, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries declared opposition to the Houthi insurgents and started a bombing campaign while the U.S. provided logistical and intelligence support.
This latest front of a proxy war between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran, has manifested itself into the world’s “worst humanitarian crisis of all time”. Indiscriminate assaults on civilians by both sides and blockades have exacerbated the disaster, preempted multiple cholera outbreaks and have driven the population to the brink of famine. In addition, Yemen’s political volatility has enabled the growth of a virulent al-Qaeda affiliate that poses another roadblock towards peace. Often called the “forgotten war,” receiving minimal Western media coverage relative to Syria, the situation in Yemen is now catastrophic.
Primary Terrorist Presence in Yemen:
Other Groups Engaged in the Conflict:
U.S. Sanctions in Yemen:
Human Rights, Humanitarian and Refugee Crises:
Other restrictions on Humanitarian Aid:
Yemen in Recent News:
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