The war in Yemen, which escalated in March 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition intervened on behalf of the internationally recognised government against Huthi rebels aligned with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, has turned a poor country into a humanitarian catastrophe: hunger and fighting could provoke mass famine and waves of refugees; the conflict could destabilise Saudi Arabia; and both sides appear locked in a cycle of escalating violence, derailing UN peace talks. Crisis Group’s focus is on the negotiations: introducing ourselves at key points, shaping the debate, proposing solutions and encouraging stakeholders to modify positions based on our analysis. Concerted effort is required to convince the parties to accept the UN’s roadmap as the basis for a compromise that would end foreign intervention and allow Yemenis to make peace.
In response to repeated attacks by the Houthis on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the U.S. and UK launched airstrikes overnight 11-12 January against Houthi positions in Yemen. In this Q&A, Crisis Group looks at the implications.
Regional tensions remained elevated as Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Hodeida port after Houthi drone killed Israeli in Tel Aviv; govt and Houthis agreed on de-escalatory measures.
Israel struck oil and energy infrastructure in Hodeida after Houthi drone targeted Tel Aviv. Houthi drone 19 July struck Israeli city Tel Aviv, killing one Israeli and injuring at least ten. In response, Israeli airstrikes next day struck oil and energy infrastructure in Hodeida port, killing nine and injuring 87. UN Sec Gen Guterres 21 July warned of further regional escalation, calling for “utmost restraint” while Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi same day threatened “more attacks targeting Israel” (see Israel-Palestine, Iran). Meanwhile, Houthis in July stepped up attacks on shipping in Red, Arabian and Mediterranean seas, and Indian Ocean; notably, Houthis 1 July claimed four operations against U.S., UK, and Israeli ships; 15 July claimed attacks targeting three ships in Red Sea and Mediterranean.
Govt and Houthis agreed to de-escalate tit-for-tat banking restrictions. Govt-controlled Central Bank 7 July revoked licenses of six commercial banks for failing to relocate offices from Houthi-controlled capital Sana’a to Aden. Houthis around same day accused Saudi Arabia of being behind govt-imposed banking restrictions, threatening to resume cross-border attacks if they were not overturned (see Saudi Arabia). Govt and Houthis 22 July informed UN envoy Hans Grundberg that they had agreed to lift tit-for-tat banking restrictions and expand national airline Yemenia flights.
Parties made progress on prisoners’ swap and UN renewed monitoring mission. Govt and Houthi representatives 6 July attended meeting of Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Detainees’ Agreement in Omani capital Muscat and reached “breakthrough” preliminary agreement on release of govt-aligned political leader Mohamed Qahtan, who has been detained by Houthis since 2015. UN Security Council 8 July extended mandate of UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNHMA) until 14 July 2025; mission plays vital role in monitoring Hodeida port and implementation of Houthi-govt ceasefire and could potentially facilitate de-escalation in Red Sea.
Humanitarian situation continued deteriorating. World Food Programme 1 July said “severe food deprivation” had reached unprecedented levels in both northern and southern Yemen since May.
[The] Houthis wanted to send a message: We are the group that is most committed to Gaza, not just in words but in action.
What's happening in the Red Sea will have a huge impact on the current political process between the Saudis and Houthis.
The visit of both the Saudis and the Omanis aims to discuss the final details of the [Yemen] truce extension agreement, which is expected to be announced very soon.
The temporary cessation of hostilities in Yemen, the longest since the start of the war, has given Yemeni civilians much-needed breathing room after eight years of war.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group’s Yemen expert Ahmed Nagi, about the recent uptick in attacks from Houthi rebels on vessels in the waters around Yemen and what they mean for global shipping and the war in Yemen.
For over eighteen months, Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been deep in discussions about a formal long-term ceasefire in their eight-year war. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Ahmed Nagi takes the temperature of the slow-moving talks.
لماذا لا ينبغي تجاهل المظالم المحلية في أي عملية سلام
يفتقر المجلس ذو الأعضاء الثمانية الذي يرأس الحكومة اليمنية المعترف بها دولياً إلى رؤية مشتركة لمستقبل البلاد. ومع تطلُّع المملكة العربية السعودية إلى مخرج من حرب اليمن، وظهور المفاوضات مع المتمردين الحوثيين في الأفق، فإن الآن هو الوقت المناسب كي يحلّ المجلس مشاكله.
بعد نحو ثمان سنوات من الحرب في اليمن، تجري مفاوضات بين المتمردين الحوثيين والمملكة العربية السعودية. لكن هذه النقاشات بحد ذاتها لن تتمكن من إنهاء الأعمال القتالية. ولذلك ينبغي على الأمم المتحدة أن تبدأ بتحضير الأرضية لمفاوضات تشمل جميع أطراف الصراع.
Washington Can Help Broker a Lasting Peace
Yemen’s six-month truce is up for renewal on 2 October. The UN and external powers should redouble their efforts to forge agreement on an expanded deal. If those look set to fall short, however, they should propose interim arrangements that avert a return to major combat.
ثمة منشأة تخزين نفط عائمة في المياه اليمنية على وشك التصدع أو الانفجار. والوقت ينفد لجمع 20 مليون دولار هو المبلغ المتبقي اللازم لعملية إنقاذية لمنع حدوث أضرار بيئية واقتصادية بأبعاد تاريخية.
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