Civil War broke out in Yemen in 2015 after political tensions and hostility had been rising since the events preceding the 2011 Arab Spring, which led to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s departure. Corruption, sectarian violence, and economic hardship beset Yemen’s interim government. As a result, emotions might quickly escalate into a potentially disastrous situation. Regional power rivalries, especially between Saudi Arabia and Iran, contributed to the escalation of tensions. Both countries offered their support to the opposing side. The complicated civil strife in Yemen became considerably worse when foreign countries interfered. A confluence of internal dynamics and regional rivalry has precipitated the current crisis, illustrating the complexity of the problem (Ali, 2023). The tragic result of the combo is a disaster for humanity.
The civil conflict in Yemen has involved many countries, notably Iran and Saudi Arabia. Iran has provided military support and training to the Houthis because it sees Yemen as a critical battleground in its struggle for regional dominance with Saudi Arabia (Day & Brehony, 2020). In light of fears about Iranian influence, Saudi Arabia, an Arab coalition member, has taken steps along its southern border to protect President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi’s internationally recognized administration. U.S. military, academic, and logistical support have been vital to the Saudi Arabian-led coalition despite widespread calls for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Whatever the case may be, the allegations state that the coalition’s military action in support of the United States has contributed to the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen (Al-Sakkaf & Damluji, 2020). A web of international interventions has emerged as a direct outcome of the protracted and escalating conflict in Yemen, making an already dire situation even worse for the Yemeni people.
All of the world’s most powerful nations fully back the terrorist group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The newly established Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) launched a campaign of strategic attacks against Western businesses and security agencies operating in the area after the Yemeni and Saudi branches of the terrorist organization joined forces in 2009. By capitalizing on the instability and unpredictability in Yemen, the group has widened its sphere of influence and carried out terrorist acts. Most of the action takes place in Yemen. The surprisingly durable and adaptable AQAP continues to represent a danger to regional security, according to Knoll et al. (2017), despite considerable counter-terrorism initiatives.
Yemen needs fair distribution plans and international financing to restart infrastructure repair programs and guarantee the country’s security. In order to combat extremism quickly, it is necessary to address long-term socioeconomic problems like poverty and unemployment. Cutting off terrorist groups’ funding, weaponry, and ability to wage war is a prerequisite to starting diplomatic peace discussions with them (Egel et al., 2021). Priority should be given to aid missions, including reconstruction and peacekeeping. It is the primary responsibility of international organizations to foster discourse during times of vital national security. Maintaining peace and prosperity in Yemen will require a united international community. If Yemen’s short- and long-term demands are satisfied and cooperation is enhanced, the country has a chance to bring about progress and peace.
The long-lasting civil unrest in Yemen has its roots in a number of issues, including disagreements over administrative power, political instability, and foreign meddling. Achieving lasting peace requires tackling the political, social, and economic issues head-on through productive discourse and global collaboration. In order to ensure stability, peacebuilding operations must be maintained. In order to find a solution, the Yemenis must set aside their differences and work together. There will be relief from the carnage once the right people cooperate. The fate of Yemen will be decided by how well its people work together despite outside pressures (Sharp & Brudnick, 2015). Suppose Yemenis put their nation’s interests ahead of those of foreign powers and work together for a peaceful and prosperous future. In that case, they can put an end to the cycle of bloodshed and instability.
Ali, H. S. (2023). SAUDI-IRANIAN RAPPROCHEMENT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF THE MIDDLE EAST: A CASE STUDY OF YEMEN AND SYRIA. Jurnal Tapis: Jurnal Teropong Aspirasi Politik Islam, 19(2), 26-54. http://www.ejournal.radenintan.ac.id/index.php/TAPIs/article/view/17713
Day, S. W., & Brehony, N. (Eds.). (2020). Global, regional, and local dynamics in the Yemen crisis. London: Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-030-35578-4.pdf
Knoll, D., Thurston, A., & Faber, P. G. (2017). Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP): An Al Qaeda Affiliate Case Study. Center for Naval Analyses Arlington United States. Knoll et al. 2017. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/AD1041731
Al-Sakkaf, N., & Damluji, M. (2020). Yemen’s Humanitarian Crisis: Causes and Solutions. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 42, 101360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101360
Sharp, J. M., & Brudnick, I. A. (2015). Yemen: Civil war and regional intervention. https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/20190917_R43960_0ae8aef063532aa48081bbedecd442b10277aa42.pdf
Egel, D., Johnston, T., Rhoades, A. L., & Robinson, E. (2021). Building an Enduring Peace in Yemen. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA700/RRA733-1/RAND_RRA733-1.pdf