Yemen, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is a country long in conflict. Recent US military airstrikes targeting Houthi forces in Yemen have several political factors and motivations.
Turmoil in Yemen is rooted in a mix of history and modern geopolitical complexities. The US involvement in Yemen reveals a complex mix of historical grievances, regional power struggles.
The urgent need for humanitarian relief reaches a point beyond crisis when the US stops sending aid to Yemen. Recent attacks represent a broader strategy designed to protect US interests and support regional allies.
History of Instability
Yemen's past is one of unity and fragmentation. From ancient kingdoms of Saba' and Ma'in to centuries of Imamate rule, diverse governance and cultural influences shape a complex nation.
During the Cold War (1947 - 1991), the country splits into North and South Yemen. North Yemen, or Republic of Yemen, allies with Saudi Arabia and the US.
Communist South Yemen, or the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, aligns with the Soviet Union and other communist countries. Hope for stability comes with unification in 1990 under President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Soon deep grievances resurface. One of the most prominent groups to emerge is the Houthi movement. Arising from the Zaidi Shia Muslim minority of the north the Houthis form as a religious revivalist group.
They quickly became a political and armed force. The Houthi cite government corruption, economic marginalization, and the influence of Saudi Arabia as justification for rebellion.
In 2011 the Arab Spring, a series of anti-government protests and armed rebellions, shakes the Arab world. Violence forces the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee.
Exploiting the political vacuum created by the Arab Spring the Houthi steadily gain control of territory. In 2014, they seize the capital, Sana'a, sparking a civil war.
This is now recognized as a proxy battle between regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia, backed by the United Arab Emirates and other allies, launches a military intervention in 2015.
The purpose is to reinstate Hadi's government and counter perceived Iranian influence in Yemen. The conflict draws in multiple countries, turning Yemen into a war between regional powers.
The US involvement in Yemen comes from strategic interests in the region, such as oil and natural gas. The emergence of the Houthi movement and its ties to Iran are significant threats.
Yemen has is considered fertile ground for terrorist organizations. Airstrikes targeting AQAP (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) in Yemen increase significantly between 2015 and 2019.
The Houthis are accused of receiving military and financial support from Iran, which alarms US allies like Saudi Arabia. In 2021, the Houthis launch multiple missile attacks into Saudi territory, hitting civilian areas.
This spurs the US to strengthen alliance with Saudi Arabia, its biggest oil partner. Military assistance includes airstrikes aimed at countering Houthi advances. World powers fear potential threats arising from the ongoing civil conflict.
Recent US-led strikes against Houthi targets are a response to the group's escalating attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Launched in support of Palestinians in Gaza, the attacks disrupt global trade routes.
The Red Sea is a critical artery for global commerce. The US has a vested interest to ensure safe passage of ships through this vital waterway, and Houthi attacks directly threaten this interest.
Deterring Houthi Aggression
The strikes are meant to prevent Houthis from further attacks on shipping. The US is targeting missile launchers, radar sites, and other military infrastructure. The US hit-miss ratio is terrifying for civilians, who go from seeing the US as a benefactor to an outright aggressor.
Supporting Regional Allies
Saudi Arabia has been subjected to Houthi attacks for years. The US intervention is seen by some as a demonstration of its commitment to regional security and support for its allies.
Partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia is based on mutual interests. Saudi Arabia is needs to curb Houthi power due to strong Iranian influence. The US shares similar concerns, considering Iran a major enemy.
US provides more than $100 billion in military support to Saudi Arabia since 2015. The partnership is under scrutiny due to human rights violations resulting from the Saudi-led coalition's military operations in Yemen.
Moral implications of US support create ongoing tension between strategic objectives and ethical considerations. The US president re-lists Houthis as a "foreign terrorist organization" and unilaterally dismantles USAID.
Civilian life in Yemen is at a crisis point, with over 24 million people, about 80% of the population, living in absolute poverty.
"USAID's suspension in Yemen is another massive blow to Yemenis who have now survived 10 years of brutal conflict, displacement, hunger and disease."
~ Scott Paul, Oxfam America's director of peace and security
Containing Iranian Influence
The US accuses Iran of providing support to the Houthis, such as weapons, training and intelligence. The strikes are meant to tell Iran the US won't tolerate its actions. The US will not directly attack Iran, a strong world power.
Maintaining International Law and Order
The US argues Houthi attacks violate international law and threaten the freedom of navigation, a fundamental principle of maritime law. The strikes are presented as a necessary measure to uphold these principles.
There are over 180 oil rigs in the Red Sea. Many outgoing tankers and other vessels have had to re-route to avoid Houthi attacks.
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