A decade of conflict: How Yemen became the center of a complex regional struggle
The ongoing Yemeni civil war, which ignited in 2014, has evolved from a local power struggle into a multifaceted proxy conflict. While Houthi insurgents maintain control over the capital, Sanaa, the nation remains fractured by shifting alliances, humanitarian crises, and the competing strategic interests of regional and global powers.
The conflict traces its roots to the 2014 Houthi takeover of Sanaa, which forced the resignation of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. This triggered a rapid escalation, with a Saudi-led coalition launching military operations in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government. The war has since claimed over 150,000 lives, with an additional 227,000 deaths attributed to famine and the collapse of healthcare infrastructure. The landscape of the war is further complicated by the presence of groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State, alongside the rise and subsequent dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council.
Central to the conflict is the perception of an Iran-Saudi proxy war. While the United States and Saudi Arabia have frequently accused Iran of arming and funding the Houthis to establish a satellite state, these claims are contested. Some academics, such as Stephen Zunes, argue that the Houthis operate independently, sourcing the majority of their weaponry from the black market rather than Iranian state channels. Despite a 2023 Chinese-brokered rapprochement deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which initially signaled a potential halt to Iranian military support, the Houthis have continued their operations, maintaining a complex and often unpredictable military posture.
The conflict has seen dramatic shifts, including a major 2025 offensive by the Southern Transitional Council that briefly seized control of southern oil fields and coastlines, followed by a Saudi-backed government counteroffensive in early 2026. These events underscore the volatility of the region, where alliances are fluid and external interventions—ranging from U.S. logistical support for the Saudi-led coalition to alleged North Korean arms sales—frequently alter the balance of power. As of late 2026, the war continues to oscillate between intense military engagement and fragile, often disregarded, attempts at negotiated settlements.
Source: Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
