Explainer: Why is the humanitarian crisis in Yemen getting worse?

Sky News

9 Apr 202403:50

Summary

TLDRThe Gaza crisis has significantly increased the global profile of Yemen's Houthis, who have been attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, claiming solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli bombardment. These actions have severely disrupted global shipping, leading to rerouted journeys and rising prices, impacting the vulnerable, including Yemenis dependent on food aid. The US and UK military responses have been criticized and have not halted the attacks, potentially derailing peace efforts in Yemen and affecting humanitarian aid delivery. The Houthis' stance has boosted their popularity, but their motives are questioned, with concerns that the situation jeopardizes both regional peace and the plight of Yemen's impoverished population.

Takeaways

🌍 The Gaza crisis has significantly increased the global profile of the Yemeni Houthi rebels.
🚢 Since November, the Houthis have been attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming their actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
🇮🇱 The conflict in Gaza involves Israeli bombardment following a Hamas attack in Israel on October 7th.
💥 The Houthi leader claims to have attacked approximately 90 ships, causing major disruptions to global shipping routes and increasing travel distances.
📈 The disruption of shipping has led to higher prices, which in turn affects vulnerable populations, including Yemenis who rely on imported food aid.
🌾 Yemen, one of the poorest countries on Earth, faces increased food and water insecurity due to the situation.
✈️ In response to the Houthi attacks, the US and Britain have taken military action, launching strikes in North Yemen, where the Houthis are in control.
🔥 Despite military efforts, the attacks on shipping have not ceased, and the coalition's response has been met with criticism and calls for stronger action.
🕊️ The ongoing conflict in Yemen, which had shown signs of progress towards peace, is now at risk due to the Houthis' stance and actions related to Gaza.
🤝 The Houthis, a hardline Islamist group supported by Iran, have seen a surge in popularity both within Yemen and internationally due to their actions.
🚨 There are concerns that the Houthi attacks and the US and UK military responses may hinder peace efforts in Yemen and the delivery of essential humanitarian aid.

Q & A

What event has recently given the Yemeni Houthis worldwide recognition?
-The Gaza crisis has given the Yemeni Houthis worldwide recognition.
What has the Houthis' recent activity been targeting?
-The Houthis have been attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Why do the Houthis claim to be attacking these cargo ships?
-They claim their actions are in support of the Palestinians in Gaza who have been under Israeli bombardment.
What was the date of the Hamas attack inside Israel that seems to have triggered this series of events?
-The Hamas attack inside Israel occurred on October 7th.
How many ships has the Houthi leader claimed to have attacked?
-The Houthi leader says they've attacked about 90 ships.
What has been the impact of the Houthi attacks on global shipping?
-The attacks have massively disrupted global shipping, causing ships to reroute and undertake longer journeys, which in turn has sent prices up everywhere.
Which group of people within Yemen has been particularly affected by the higher prices caused by the disruption of shipping?
-The most vulnerable, including Yemenis in one of the poorest countries on Earth, who are dependent on food aid, have been hit the hardest by the higher prices.
What was the situation in Yemen before the Houthi attacks on shipping?
-Before the attacks, Yemen was already facing severe challenges, with a large portion of the population being food and water insecure.
What military actions have the US and Britain taken in response to the Houthi attacks?
-The US and Britain have launched strikes in North Yemen, where the Houthis control the region.
Has the military response from the US and Britain been effective in stopping the Houthi attacks?
-No, the shipping attacks have continued, and the coalition response has not been very effective.
What are some criticisms of the military response by the US and Britain?
-There has been criticism about hitting a terribly poor country, and some call for an even tougher response, while others argue their operations are very weak.
How is the situation in Gaza affecting the peace process in Yemen?
-The catastrophic events in Gaza are threatening to derail the fragile peace proposal that seemed to be progressing after years of civil war in Yemen.
What is the Houthi stance on the situation in Gaza?
-The Houthis see their attacks as a form of support for their brothers in Palestine and have stated that if aggression in Gaza stops, they will stop their attacks.
What are the concerns regarding the Houthi attacks and the US and UK military responses?
-Many are warning that the Houthi attacks and the US and UK military responses are jeopardizing any peace progress in Yemen, as well as the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to one of the world's most deprived countries.

Outlines

00:00

🚢 Yemeni Crisis and Global Shipping Disruptions

The Gaza crisis has brought global attention to the Yemeni Houthis, who have been attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November. They claim their actions are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, who have faced Israeli bombardment since the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7th. The Houthi leader reports about 90 ships have been attacked, causing significant disruptions to global shipping routes and increasing journey lengths. This has led to a rise in prices, affecting vulnerable populations, including Yemenis, who depend on imported food aid in one of the world's poorest countries. The Houthi attacks have made an already dire situation worse, increasing food and water insecurity among the population. International aid is needed to address these growing issues.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Gaza crisis

The Gaza crisis refers to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, which is often characterized by periods of intense violence. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a catalyst for the Houthi's actions and a focal point of international attention and concern.

💡Yemeni Houthis

The Yemeni Houthis are a Zaidi Shia Islamist political and armed movement based in Yemen. They have gained notoriety and worldwide recognition due to their actions, such as attacking cargo ships, which are seen as a form of support for Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis are backed by Iran and are known for their hardline stance against Israel and America.

💡Global shipping disruption

Global shipping disruption refers to the significant interference with the normal functioning of international maritime trade routes. In the video, it is mentioned that the Houthi attacks on cargo ships have massively disrupted global shipping, forcing rerouting and longer journeys, which in turn has led to increased prices worldwide.

💡Food and water insecurity

Food and water insecurity describe situations where individuals or communities lack consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food and clean water for drinking. In the context of the video, Yemenis in one of the poorest countries on Earth face exacerbated food and water insecurity due to the Houthi actions and the resulting global shipping disruptions.

💡Military action

Military action refers to the use of armed forces to achieve political or strategic objectives. In the video, it is mentioned that the US and Britain have launched military strikes in North Yemen in response to the Houthi attacks on shipping, aiming to halt these actions.

💡Civil War

A civil war is a violent conflict between citizens of the same country, often fought to achieve political or social objectives. In the video, Yemen's long civil war is discussed, which has divided the country and led to widespread suffering, with both sides accused of war crimes.

💡Proxy war

A proxy war is a conflict in which powerful countries, unable to engage in direct military confrontation, support one or more local forces in a dispute. In the video, it is mentioned that Yemen has been the battleground for a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, two regional powers.

💡Humanitarian aid

Humanitarian aid refers to the assistance provided to people in need of support due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other situations that threaten their survival. In the video, it is emphasized that the delivery of critical humanitarian aid to Yemen is being jeopardized by the ongoing crisis.

💡International peace efforts

International peace efforts are initiatives by global actors to resolve conflicts and promote stability. In the video, it is mentioned that international peace efforts are required to address the situation in Yemen, particularly in light of the recent escalation caused by the Gaza crisis.

💡War crimes

War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war, which are designed to protect civilians and combatants who are no longer participating in hostilities. In the video, it is noted that there have been accusations of war crimes on both sides of the Yemeni conflict.

💡Houthi popularity

Houthi popularity refers to the increased support and influence the Houthi movement has gained, both within Yemen and internationally. In the video, it is suggested that the group's actions, while denounced by some as opportunistic, have elevated their status in the eyes of some due to their control over key maritime routes.

Highlights

The Gaza crisis has brought worldwide recognition to the Yemeni Houthis, a group that previously had limited global attention.

Since November, the Houthis have been attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in what they claim is support for Palestinians in Gaza.

The Houthis' actions have significantly disrupted global shipping, forcing rerouting and longer journeys, which in turn has increased prices globally.

The rise in prices due to shipping disruptions has had a profound impact on vulnerable populations, including Yemenis who depend on imported food aid.

Yemen, one of the poorest countries on Earth, now faces increased food and water insecurity due to the Houthis' actions and their consequences.

The US and Britain have taken military action in response to the Houthi attacks, launching strikes in North Yemen, an area controlled by the Houthis.

Despite military actions, the Houthi attacks on shipping have not ceased, calling into question the effectiveness of the US and Britain's response.

There is criticism over military strikes on a poor country like Yemen, with some calling for an even tougher stance, while others argue for a more measured response.

Yemen has been embroiled in a long civil war, which had seemed to be moving towards peace after eight years of conflict.

A breakthrough between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the two regional powers accused of waging a proxy war in Yemen, had offered hope for peace.

The events in Gaza are now threatening to derail the fragile peace proposal that had been established between these regional powers.

The Houthis, a hardline Islamist group supported by Iran, have seen a surge in popularity both within Yemen and internationally due to their stance.

The group's attacks on shipping are denounced as opportunistic and not genuinely related to supporting Gaza, but they have nonetheless gained worldwide influence.

The Houthis' increased influence is seen as a key to navigating the Red Sea, despite the controversy surrounding their methods.

Many warn that the Houthi attacks and the US and UK military responses are jeopardizing peace progress in Yemen and the delivery of critical humanitarian aid.

The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen have led to widespread suffering, with accusations of war crimes on both sides.

Civilians on both sides of the war have suffered life-changing injuries, illness, and acute hunger due to the ongoing conflict.

The unrelenting suffering in Yemen eventually prompted warring factions to talk peace, but the situation in Gaza has complicated these efforts.

The Houthis' stance on Gaza has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a form of solidarity and others as a strategic move.