YEMEN, one of the historic place of the Arab, the house of the kingdom of SABA and one of the most important Seaport in History. The country maintained its place as the main trading point for Arabia before the Suez Canal was completed in 1869. The port of Aden has not lost its reputation since antiquity and its location is considered important strategically in modern time and in my opinion, it is one of the main reason for the modern Yemen Crises.
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| The savaged Yemen City (Credit- The conversations) |
Importance of Aden
The port of Aden is situated at the tip of the Arabian peninsula close to the African country of Eritrea and Somalia on the mouth of the Red Sea where the born maximum supply of fuel around the globe. The is the shortest sea route to Europe other then Gibarter, which is the far lengthier route. The Arabian peninsula and African cost become bottleneck once entered into Red sea. The importance of Aden is strategically enhanced due to this reason. One who controls Aden can control half of the world trade.
Yemen Revolution (Itefada)
President Ali Abdullah Saleh, previously President of North Yemen before unification in 1990, and become the President of unified Yemen. He remained in office for 33 years and removed as the result of the Yemen Revolution also known as the Yemeni Itefada started in 2011 against the Dictatorship of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the deteriorated economic condition, unemployment and corruption. The government responded with force and opened fire on one of the protestors rallies on 18 March 2011 and killed 52 protestors. This massacre led to mass defections and resignation which ultimately forced Ali Abdullah Saleh out of the office after signing the agreement and transfer power to Mansur Hadi, vice president. Although Mansur Hadi was struggling with transition and crises, the Old wound of Houthi's open and civil war started in 2014.
Houthis Old Conflict
Houthis tribes are one of the biggest Ziyyad Shia tribes living in Southern Yemen in Hazrmoout province. There were several tribal fights with Government-backed Sunni Tribes. Conflicts started in 2004 after the government accused them to conspire against the Republic and want to install Ziyyadia Shia laws. This began Houthi religious leader Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi accused the Government of corruption and being backed by Saudi Arabian and USA funding on the cost of its own civilians and country's sovereignty. Houthis rejected the allegation and state that they want to preserve their way of life and defending the community. They are not against the Republic and Government but they are against the Government aggression and discrimination. Other parties accused each other of foreign funding, in the case of Houthi, Iranian financial and military help. Both parties fought each other for years and hundreds of people died in armed conflicts.
Present Yemen Civil War
As the Houthis, also called "Ansarullah" were in the fight with Abdul Saleh for years, they took a weak transition government of Mehdi and protest, started the civil war in 2014 after the demonstration in fuel hike in Yemen capital. Sunni tribes and Houthis militants engaged in a bloody fight in which 320 people died, however, Sana was taken over by Houthis and thereafter the Civil war rushed like a wildfire across the country. Houthis soon controlled a large part of Northern Yemen and fights to go on to capture other parts of the Country. As Iran is accused of Houthi help, Suadi Arabia and UAE jumped into the conflict with the backup of the USA and formed the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a secessionist organization with 26 members includes Governors and Ministers formed their own Government in Hadramawt, Abyan, Shabwa, al-Mahra, and the island of Socotra with the help of Saudi Arabia led coalition. currently, Aden is in the hands of the UAE via STC. Houthis still holding large parts but Saudi Arabia-led-coalition using Air force extensively against the Houthis to help the Government led forces. However, after getting Capital, Sanna, the Houthis is now trying to capture the rest of the country. After the Suadi intervention, the Houthis has started the war against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have now become more powerful and processed several suicide drones and missiles, which includes Ballistic Missiles. The Houthis use to attached multiple times to different cities of Saudia Arabia. This force Suadi Arabia and UAE increase their defence budgets to spend more on Anti Ballistics capabilities.
Ma'rib Offence, The Last Stronghold
Currently, the most important offence is ongoing in Al-Jawf and Ma'rib Goventorates by Huthis which is control by pro- Saleh Republican and Government forces, said to be the last stronghold. Almost 95% of Al-Jawf has bee captured by Houthis up till now, however, the Ma'rib offence also initiated by Houthis. The importance of Ma'rib is too much in Yemen. The major oil and gas wells are situated and the direct pipeline connects to the Red Sea if it's lost to Huthis, a huge revenue source will be captured by Houthis and the biggest defeat to Saudi Arabia.
Human Crises at Yemen
The 9 years-long civil war has created one of the crucial human crises in Yemen and asked opponents for a ceasefire. The conflict has displaced more than 800,000 people from their native lands and forced them to live in Tents. without proper food, water and medical supplies. UN state that opponents should give safe passage to the civilian to leave the cities and avoid coalition damage. The UN also urged the world to provide humanitarian aid to Yemen to safe civilian.
The Super Power wars
The Question is why the war started. My opinion is that Houthis, as a Shia sect, although small in number but powerful and resourceful and doesn't want to create unrest in the Kingdom. Many Shia tribes are living along the Yemen borders so Saudi Araba and UAE want to end these tribes. Due to long wars in which supplies and men involved, both Arab countries burnt huge money and in the end, get nothing. First UAE, who forced Saudia Arabia to be a part of the campaign on the USA back, now dismantling their facilities and arrangements are being made to leave Yemen. Can Saudi Araba be fought alone? difficult. But this is what we see from the bird-eye. Why the USA was backing Saudia Arabia and UAE in this war.
The Anwer lying in Dejobiti. The first foreign Chinese Base. Small country host military bases of multi-nation. The Chinese Investment in Africa is going up year by year and African countries welcoming China. The mined raw material used to trade through the Red Sea to China. The USA want to limit China. China needs peace for smooth business. The location of Yemen, as earlier stated, is on the entrance of the Red Sea and the one who has Yemen can restrict waters denied access to Europe from Asia and vice-visa.
Pakistan was asked to be part of this war and Pakistan denied it through the National Assembly, whereas accepted to appoint Ex-COAS General Raheel Sharif, as per my opinion, to ensure a ceasefire and resolve the issue. Although successful for a while, the main players don't want peace. Now that participants are leaving the battleground, which includes the USA and UAE, there is no one to stop the Houthis to seize power in all Yemen. New US Administration has banned weapon supply to Saudia Arabia and UAE due to the Yemen war. This will force Saudia Arabia to end this war and let Yemen people decide their fate. As earlier, Houthis leader said in the interview "We know that we are in minorities and Sunni are in majority. We are not against Republic but we want to live as per our tradition and customs". If so, it may be revealed after some years.
(This is the author's independent opinion)
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