Yemen: five years since Saudi-led coalition intervened

Yemen's conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, relief agencies say.

SANAA (AFP) - Impoverished Yemen is mired in a devastating conflict between Iran-backed rebels and government forces that intensified after Saudi Arabia spearheaded a military intervention five years ago.

Here is a broad overview:

 

Saudi-led intervention 

In September 2014, Huthi rebels from the country s Zaidi Shiite minority in northern Yemen enter Sanaa, seizing the government headquarters.

Backed by Shiite Iran, the rebels ally themselves with military units loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was forced to quit after a 2011 uprising.

As well as the capital, they seize swathes of territory, including the Red Sea port of Hodeida, a crucial entry point for imports and humanitarian aid.

In February 2015, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi flees to second city Aden.

A coalition led by Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, the bitter regional rival of Iran, enters the conflict on March 26, 2015 with air strikes on the rebels.

Washington says it is contributing logistics and intelligence. As the rebels advance on Aden, Hadi flees, taking refuge in Saudi Arabia.

The coalition s intervention helps pro-government forces to secure the southern port city and in October they announce they have retaken control of the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key waterway for international shipping.

 

Battle for aid port 

In June 2018, government fighters, backed by Saudi and Emirati ground forces, launch an offensive to retake the port city of Hodeida.

UN-brokered talks between the warring parties open in December, yielding a series of breakthroughs including a ceasefire in Hodeida where combat largely ceases.

 

Southern separatists 

The anti-Huthi camp is itself divided, with fighting breaking out repeatedly between southern separatists and unionist forces loyal to Hadi s government.

In January 2018, the separatists occupy the presidential palace in Aden, before Saudi-Emirati forces intervene.

South Yemen was an independent state until it united with the north in 1990, and separatists remain powerful.

In August 2019, clashes in Aden pit separatists from the UAE-trained Security Belt force against unionist troops backed by Riyadh.

In November, a power-sharing accord is signed between the two parties, but is never applied.

 

Saudi Arabia targeted 

In September 2019, twin attacks on Saudi oil installations, claimed by the Huthis but widely blamed on Iran, knock out half of the kingdom s production.

Saudi Arabia has been repeatedly targeted with cross-border missile and drone attacks by the rebels.

 

New escalation 

After a relative lull in violence, fighting flares in mid-January to the east of the rebel-held capital.

On January 18, a missile strike on a loyalist military camp blamed on the Huthis kills 116 people and injures dozens.

In early March, the rebels seize key provincial capital Al-Hazm after heavy fighting with government troops.

The victory puts them on the road to Marib, a key city held by government forces 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of Sanaa.

On March 28, Saudi air defences intercept Huthi missiles over Riyadh and the border city of Jizan.

 

Humanitarian crisis 

Yemen s conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, relief agencies say.

More than 24 million Yemenis, or more than two thirds of the population, need aid, according to the United Nations which describes the conflict as "the world s worst humanitarian crisis".

Both sides stand accused of committing violations that could amount to war crimes.

From April 8, the coalition declares a two-week ceasefire in Yemen, according to a senior Saudi official, who cites the need to prepare "the ground to fight COVID-19" in the country.

The announcement draws a cautious welcome from the Unuited Nations and relief agencies but there is no immediate reaction from the rebels.