The Houthis' Shadow: Exploring Yemen's Humanitarian Emergency

 

Yemen's Humanitarian Crisis and the Role of the Houthis

The Houthis and Yemen's Civil War

• The Houthis, a Zaydi Shia group, began a movement in Saada province in 2004 in opposition to former President Saleh.
• After Saleh's resignation in 2011, the Houthis seized control of Sana'a and expanded their territory, taking over Hodeidah and forcing President Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis and International Conflict

• The Houthis aligned with Iran, leading to a Saudi-led coalition bombing campaign and naval blockade since 2015.
• The Houthis have controlled much of Yemen since 2015, but lack international recognition or legitimacy.

The Houthis' Role in Yemen's Humanitarian Crisis

• The Houthis' governance in Yemen has been brutal, leading to accusations of war crimes, including airstrikes, landmine attacks, and forced disappearances.
• The Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis have both been accused of human rights abuses.
• The ongoing conflict has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, with over 350,000 deaths and widespread poverty and famine.

The Houthis and the Red Sea Attacks

• The Houthis have carried out dozens of attacks on ships in the Red Sea since 2023, targeting vessels doing business with Israel.
• The attacks are seen as a strategy to legitimize the Houthis and broaden their support by framing their actions within the context of supporting Palestine.
• The Red Sea attacks have disrupted international trade and led to a US-UK led coalition targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Continued Conflict and International Response

• Ceasefire talks between the Houthis and Saudis began in 2022, but accountability for the harm done to Yemenis remains unclear.
• Many Yemenis view agreements between the Saudis and Houthis as counterproductive and focused on Saudi security rather than Yemeni needs.