By Christina Xu ‘18
Shiite Houthi rebels, who have been seizing control of key parts of Yemen since September 2014, are being targeted by airstrikes from a coalition of nine nations led by Saudi Arabia. In January, they ousted President Abdurabu Mansur Hadi. Dubbed Operation al-Hazm Storm, or Operation Decisive Storm in English, the coalition's efforts have pinpointed Houthi weapons depots and military posts, destroying air defense weaponry and key infrastructure; the airstrikes have also hit a refugee camp in Haradh, injuring 250 and killing at least 40 people.The coalition, formed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt and Sudan, though largely Sunni Muslim, is split along religious lines. It was created in order to combat the spread of Iranian influence in Yemen via the Houthi rebels; years of Iranian expansion in the Middle East—from the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon to the rise of power of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria to Iranian-backed militias in Iraq—has led to diminished Sunni influence within the Middle East. The latest aggressions serve to indicate that Saudi Arabia will neither tolerate continued expansion nor wait on the United States for aid. Though the US is assisting Iranian-supported militias in Iraq, the US has offered logistical support and target location services to the coalition’s efforts in Yemen.Overall, it seems as if warfare is a highly possible option from both sides, although ground conflict is not desirable for Saudi Arabia specifically, the coalition as a whole is prepared. The Houthi rebels, on the other hand, are hardened guerrilla fighters who have already threatened suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia. They are also heavily armed, as they possess missiles capable of reaching up to 300 miles into Saudi Arabia. Thus, in any event, a violent and enduring conflict would be certain with significant damage done to both sides. This would only serve to add a new level of confusion and chaos to the layers of conflict that have emerged since the start of the Arab Spring.So far, there has been no sign that the Houthi’s are willing to negotiate—the risk exists that the only result of the airstrikes will be further polarization of Yemen. Furthermore, the conflict has forced the withdrawal of US Special Forces in the process of counterterrorism efforts in Yemen, a significant al Qaeda stronghold. As security forces within the nation are otherwise occupied, al Qaeda has effectively been given more mobility. As the conflict continues, food imports into Yemen—which is 90% of its food supply—have come to a halt, putting the nation’s weak supply chains under stress as the central government collapses and ports and mills close. One point has become clear: Yemen cannot support a protracted religious conflict.How did this entire conflict materialize? For over 33 years, President Abdullah Saleh held relatively stable control over the nation. Then in 2011 came the Arab Spring—and the resulting protests and violent crackdowns ensued before a power transfer deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council was signed by Saleh. In February 2012, an election was held; then-Vice President Abdurabu Mansur Hadi was the only candidate. Hadi, a former soldier from southern Yemen and Vice President for 17 years, was considered a consensus candidate by most; hopes were high for the future of the country. In September 2014, however, the Houthi rebels were able to spark battles in the capital city, Sanaa. In January 2015, Hadi was forced to flee the nation, reflecting the political and national instability that the Arab Spring was supposed to end. Bursts of violence and instability have emerged in other Arab Spring nations, notably Egypt, Libya, and Syria. Only time will tell if these nations will ever see peace and stability. For now it seems that the Arab Spring has only been able to provide temporary solutions to very complex national problems. Sources:http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/30/middleeast/yemen-saudi-arabia-intervention/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/how-the-yemen-conflict-risks-new-chaos-in-the-middle-east/2015/03/27/1c4e7b5c-d417-11e4-8b1e-274d670aa9c9_story.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/01/us-yemen-security-food-exclusive-idUSKBN0MS4QA20150401http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/02/2012219133034774204.html