Saudi Intervention In Yemen

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has turned into a full-blown humanitarian crisis, with widespread famine, disease, and displacement affecting millions of civilians. The four-year conflict between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels has drawn in external powers, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, with devastating human rights implications. As civilians are caught in the crosshairs of the conflict, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.

The conflict in Yemen began in 2015, when the Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, overthrew the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, leading to a brutal civil war that escalated in 2015, with a Saudi-led coalition launching airstrikes against Houthi positions and targets in the country. The war has resulted in massive displacement, with over 2 million Yemenis forced to flee their homes, and a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 24 million people, or nearly 80% of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance.

The humanitarian toll of the conflict has been immense, with:

* Over 14,000 civilians killed, with over 30,000 more wounded[^1]

* Over 75% of the population, or approximately 26 million people, relying on aid to survive[^2]

* A massive increase in cholera and diphtheria cases, with over 1 million suspected cholera cases reported[^3]

* Over 3 million people forced into famine[^4]

* A surge in human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture[^5]

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen has also had a significant impact on the local economy, with:

* Yemen's economy experiencing a decline of nearly 40%over the past four years[^6]

* Over $20 million in lost trade and investment revenue[^7]

* An estimated 13 million Yemenis, or 45% of the population, living in extreme poverty[^8]

The Saudi-led coalition has argued that its military intervention is necessary to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, citing concerns about Iranian influence and the spread of extremism. However, critics argue that the coalition's actions have only exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with:

* Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International reporting repeated instances of coalition forces targeting civilians, including hospitals, markets, and schools[^9]

* Evidence of a longstanding blockade, with 75% of the country inaccessible[^10]

* An estimated 100,000 houses destroyed or damaged[^11]

The international community has largely neglected the plight of Yemen, with only a few countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, providing significant aid.

However, even with international assistance, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues to deepen, with millions of civilians caught in the middle. As the conflict rages on, and aid pours in, there is little end in sight to the suffering in Yemen.

Justice in Yemen - what's the solution?

Until the international community takes a stronger stance on justice for Yemen, the country will continue to suffer.

References:

[^1] Human Rights Watch, Yemen: Activists Detained, Tortured

[^2] UNICEF

[^3] World Health Organization

[^4] Famine Early Warning Systems Network

[^5] Amnesty International, Yemeni Armed Forces and Their Allies Have Tortured Thousands

[^6] International Monetary Fund

[^7] World Trade Organization

[^8] World Bank Group

[^9] Human Rights Watch

[^10] Save the Children

[^11] New York Times, Yemen's Civil War Is Leaving Destruction in Its Wake