How This Rebel Militia is Transforming the Middle East

Summary

The Yemen conflict began in the '90s with the formation of the Believing Youth, a Zaidi Muslim group feeling marginalized in unified Yemen. Led by Al Houthi, they sought an Islamic revolution free from foreign influence. The US war on terror and invasion of Iraq radicalized the group further. After Al Houthi's death, the Houthi movement, named after him, continued to fight, gaining territory and support from Iran. The Arab Spring and subsequent power vacuum allowed the Houthis to seize more control, leading to a complex proxy war involving Saudi Arabia, Iran, and various factions within Yemen. The conflict escalated into a humanitarian crisis with millions displaced and reliant on aid. Despite a UN-brokered ceasefire in 2022 and diplomatic efforts, the situation remains fragile, highlighting the devastating impact of proxy wars fueled by geopolitical rivalries.

Takeaways

• 🇾🇪 Yemen was unified in 1990 after being two separate countries, leading to a mix of different tribal, religious, and political groups.
• 👥 The Believing Youth, a group of Zaidi Muslims, formed in the 1990s in northern Yemen and felt neglected in the unified Yemen, leading to their radicalization.
• 🔍 Al Houthi, a former Yemeni parliament member, became the leader of the Believing Youth, advocating for an Islamic revolution and opposing foreign influence.
• 🔫 After the 9/11 attacks, the US sought Yemen's help in the war on terror, which led to increased US presence and further radicalization of Al Houthi's group.
• 💥 Al Houthi's death did not stop the rebellion; instead, it fueled the Houthi movement, which continued to fight and gain territory.
• 🌍 The conflict in Yemen drew in regional powers, with Saudi Arabia opposing the Houthis and Iran allegedly supporting them.
• 🔄 The Arab Spring further complicated the situation in Yemen, with public uprisings demanding change and the eventual ousting of President Saleh.
• 🤝 The Houthis and former President Saleh formed an alliance, capturing the capital city of Sana'a and causing the internationally recognized government to flee.
• 💣 Saudi Arabia, leading a coalition, intervened in Yemen to remove the Houthis from power, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis.
• 🕊️ Despite multiple attempts at ceasefires and diplomatic efforts, the conflict in Yemen has persisted, with various factions vying for control.
• 🚨 The conflict has had global implications, affecting international trade routes like the Red Sea and drawing in international powers like the US and UK.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in Yemen in 1990 that changed its political landscape?

In 1990, Yemen was unified into one country after being split into two for decades. This unification led to a shift in the political dynamics, with groups like the Zaidi Muslims transitioning from a majority to a minority status.

Who were the Believing Youth and what did they initially focus on?

The Believing Youth were a group of religious Yemenis, members of the Zaidi Muslim sect, who initially focused on rebuilding the Zaidi religious identity through summer camps and religious education for young men.

How did Al Houthi's involvement change the direction of the Believing Youth?

Al Houthi, after resigning from Yemen's parliament, joined the Believing Youth and used his wealth and family connections to become their leader. He sought an Islamic revolution, similar to Iran's, to remove foreign influence and restore Islamic values, which marked a significant ideological shift for the group.

What was the impact of the US 'war on terror' on the Believing Youth's perception and actions?

The US 'war on terror', particularly after the 9/11 attacks, deeply radicalized the Believing Youth. They saw Yemen's cooperation with the US and the subsequent military presence as American imperialism in Muslim lands, which led them to adopt a more violent stance against the Yemeni government and the US.

How did the Arab Spring in 2011 influence the situation in Yemen?

The Arab Spring led to widespread public demonstrations demanding change from the government, which intensified the existing conflict. It also provided Iran and Saudi Arabia with opportunities to strategically choose sides in Yemen, further complicating the situation.

What role did the Houthis play in the Yemeni conflict after the Arab Spring?

The Houthis took advantage of the political instability during the Arab Spring to strengthen their position. They expanded their territorial control, received more support from Iran, and eventually took over the capital city of Sana'a.

What was the international response to the escalating conflict in Yemen?

The international response included diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting, but these largely failed. Saudi Arabia, backed by the US and other countries, launched a military intervention aimed at removing the Houthis from power, leading to a protracted and devastating war.

How did the conflict in Yemen evolve into a proxy war involving regional powers?

The conflict became a proxy war as regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran supported opposing sides. Saudi Arabia led a coalition against the Houthis, who were backed by Iran, escalating the conflict and drawing in other actors like Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

What humanitarian consequences has the war in Yemen had on its population?

The war in Yemen has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced, a blockade that restricts trade and aid, and widespread violence affecting civilians. It has also resulted in a significant dependence on humanitarian aid for survival.

What were the key factors that contributed to the ceasefire in Yemen in 2022?

The ceasefire in 2022 was facilitated by a combination of factors, including UN diplomatic efforts, regional tensions cooling as a result of direct talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and a general fatigue from the prolonged conflict on all sides.

What is the significance of the Red Sea attacks by the Houthis and how did they impact global trade?

The Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, a major route for global container traffic, led to a significant decline in traffic through the area, impacting global trade. This move also drew the US and its allies deeper into the conflict.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Unification and Emergence of the Believing Youth

The story begins with Yemen's unification in 1990, following decades as two separate countries. Yemen is described as a tapestry of tribes, religions, and political views. The narrative focuses on the formation of the Believing Youth, a Zaidi Muslim sect in the northern mountains, who felt marginalized in the unified Yemen. Initially focused on religious education, the group evolved into a more political entity with the addition of Al Houthi, a former Yemeni parliament member. Al Houthi's leadership and vision for an Islamic revolution, influenced by Iran, transformed the group into a militia. This shift was further radicalized by the US's War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq, leading to an armed rebellion against the Yemeni government and the eventual death of Al Houthi.

05:02

🌐 Internationalizing the Conflict: Saudi Arabia and Iran's Involvement

The conflict in Yemen escalated into a full-scale rebellion by 2004, with the Houthis resisting the Yemeni government's military efforts. The war drew international attention when the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of aiding the Yemeni government and retaliated by invading Saudi Arabia. This prompted a military response from Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Iran, seeing an opportunity to counter its rival, began secretly supplying weapons to the Houthis, further internationalizing the conflict. Additionally, Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch merged with a Saudi branch to form Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), complicating the conflict further. The Arab Spring in 2011 brought further change to the region, and Yemen's President Saleh, facing increasing pressure, eventually transferred power, albeit while retaining significant influence.

10:03

🔥 War Escalation and Humanitarian Crisis

The Houthis, bolstered by weapons from Iran, made significant advances in 2014, culminating in the capture of Yemen's capital, Sana'a. Former President Saleh allied with the Houthis, and together they forced President Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia. The Houthis established their own oppressive regime, marked by human rights abuses and strict religious law. In response, Saudi Arabia, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, launched a military intervention aimed at removing the Houthis. The US, while reluctant to engage in another Middle Eastern conflict, supported the Saudi-led coalition with weapons and intelligence, further escalating the war. Al-Qaeda and ISIS took advantage of the chaos to expand their influence, leading to additional US airstrikes. The conflict resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of displaced people and a blockade that crippled Yemen's economy.

15:05

⚔️ Proxy War Dynamics and Complex Alliances

In 2017, the Saudis and the UAE convinced Saleh to abandon his alliance with the Houthis. However, fighting erupted between Saleh's forces and the Houthis, leading to Saleh's death. The US, under President Trump, increased drone strikes against Al-Qaeda and approved further weapon sales to Saudi Arabia. The UAE later withdrew from the Saudi-led coalition over strategic disagreements and began supporting the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group seeking independence for southern Yemen. By 2019, Yemen was embroiled in a complex war with multiple factions, including the Saudi coalition, the UAE-backed STC, the Houthis, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. The US continued to conduct airstrikes against terrorist groups while supporting the Saudi coalition.

20:06

🕊️ Ceasefire and Ongoing Struggles

A UN-brokered ceasefire in April 2022 brought a temporary halt to the fighting, with behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Saudi Arabia and Iran leading to a de-escalation of the conflict. However, the Houthis continued to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia and international shipping in the Red Sea, drawing international response from the US and UK. The conflict in Yemen exemplifies the destructive nature of proxy wars, where geopolitical rivals use local conflicts to exert influence, leading to widespread human suffering and destabilization. Despite a reduction in hostilities, the underlying issues and the humanitarian crisis persist, with Yemen's future still uncertain.

Keywords

💡Yemen

Yemen is a country located in Western Asia, known for being a strategic crossroads along important trade routes. It is the central focus of the video script as it discusses the country's history, unification in 1990, and the complex conflicts that have arisen from various factions within its borders. The country's division into two entities before unification and the subsequent unification are key to understanding the current geopolitical struggles depicted in the video.

💡Believing Youth

The Believing Youth refers to a group of religious Yemenis who started as a movement focused on rebuilding the Zaidi religious identity. They are significant in the video's narrative as they evolve from a religious group into a militant force, leading an armed rebellion against the Yemeni government and eventually becoming known as the Houthis. Their transformation illustrates the shift from religious to political activism in response to perceived marginalization and corruption.

💡Zaidi Muslims

Zaidi Muslims are a Shiite Muslim sect that once constituted the majority in the northern part of Yemen. The video script highlights their shift from majority to minority status following the unification of Yemen in 1990, which led to feelings of neglect and discrimination. This context is crucial for understanding the motivations behind the formation and actions of the Believing Youth and the subsequent rise of the Houthi movement.

💡Al Houthi

Al Houthi is a reference to Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a leader who joined the Believing Youth and became a central figure in the movement. His leadership and vision for an Islamic revolution, influenced by events such as the U.S. invasion of Iraq, are pivotal to the escalation of the conflict in Yemen. Al Houthi's death becomes a rallying point for the Houthi movement, turning him into a symbol of resistance.

💡Proxy War

A proxy war is a conflict in which two powers use third parties to fight on their behalf rather than confronting each other directly. The video script describes the Yemen conflict as a proxy war, with regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran backing different factions within Yemen. This concept is central to the video's theme, illustrating how geopolitical rivalries exacerbate local conflicts and lead to broader regional instability.

💡Houthi

The term Houthi refers to the movement and the military group that emerged from the Believing Youth, led by Al Houthi. In the video, the Houthis are portrayed as a major force in the Yemen conflict, initially fighting against the Yemeni government and later expanding their influence. Their actions, alliances, and the territories they control are central to the unfolding narrative of the Yemeni crisis.

💡Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a neighboring country to Yemen and plays a significant role in the video's narrative as a regional power with vested interests in Yemen. The script discusses Saudi Arabia's involvement in the Yemen conflict, both through direct military intervention and as a backer of various factions opposing the Houthis. Their actions are crucial to understanding the regional dimensions of the conflict.

💡Iran

Iran is highlighted in the video as a regional power that opposes Saudi Arabia and is accused of supporting the Houthis, although the extent of this support remains a point of contention. The video script suggests that Iran's involvement adds another layer of complexity to the Yemen conflict, turning it into a broader struggle for influence between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

💡Humanitarian Crisis

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is a central theme in the video, resulting from the ongoing conflict and the involvement of various factions and regional powers. The script describes the dire conditions faced by the Yemeni people, including displacement, the blockade, and the reliance on humanitarian aid. This crisis underscores the human cost of the conflict and the urgency of finding a resolution.

💡Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda is mentioned in the video as a terrorist organization that has exploited the instability in Yemen to expand its presence. The script discusses the formation of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and its goals, which include establishing a strict Islamic state and waging war against foreigners in Muslim lands. Al-Qaeda's activities add another dimension to the conflict and are a target of U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

💡UN Ceasefire

The UN ceasefire mentioned in the video script represents a significant development in the Yemen conflict, marking a pause in the fighting and a potential step towards peace. The ceasefire is the result of diplomatic efforts and signifies a moment of de-escalation, although the underlying issues and divisions remain unresolved.

Highlights

Yemen was unified into one country in 1990 after being two countries for decades.

The Believing Youth, a group of Zaidi Muslims, formed in the northern mountains of Yemen in the '90s.

Zaidi Muslims felt neglected and discriminated against in the unified Yemen.

Al Houthi, a Yemeni parliament member, joined the Believing Youth and became its leader, advocating for an Islamic revolution.

The Believing Youth evolved from a religious group to a militia, protesting against Yemen's president and taking over territory.

After 9/11, the US launched a war on terror and cooperated with Yemen, which led to the radicalization of Al Houthi's movement.

Al Houthi criticized President Saleh for cooperating with the US, which increased support for his movement.

Al Houthi was killed, but the Houthi movement continued and became known for its resistance against imperialism.

The Houthis fought a guerrilla campaign against the Yemeni government, gaining local support and tribal alliances.

Saudi Arabia got involved in the conflict due to Houthi invasions and claims of Iranian support for the Houthis.

Iran allegedly provided weapons to the Houthis, escalating the conflict into a proxy war.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) emerged as a dangerous force during the conflict.

The Arab Spring in 2011 led to uprisings in Yemen, with the Houthis and other factions vying for power.

Former President Saleh joined the Houthis in an alliance, helping them take over the capital city of Sana'a.

Saudi Arabia led a coalition to invade Yemen and remove the Houthis from power, with support from the US.

The conflict in Yemen became a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and reliant on aid.

A UN-brokered ceasefire in 2022 led to a reduction in fighting, and diplomatic talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The Houthis continued to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia and international shipping in the Red Sea.

The conflict in Yemen exemplifies the destructive nature of proxy wars and the suffering they cause.

Transcripts

- [Johnny] Along the banks of the most important waterway

on earth sits the country of Yemen,

a place that was two countries for decades

until the year 1990,

when it was unified into one.

A fragile patchwork of groups all

with different tribal backgrounds, religious beliefs,

and political aspirations.

The story I want to tell starts in the '90s,

when one group forms up in the northern mountains of Yemen.

It's started by a group of religious Yemenis

who call themselves the Believing Youth,

who were members of a Shiite Muslim sect called the Zaidi.

Zaidi Muslims used to be the majority

when the country was split in two.

But in the new unified Yemen,

they became a minority and felt neglected

and discriminated against.

At first, the group focuses

on rebuilding the Zaidi religious identity,

hosting summer camps for young men

and offering religious education.

But in the late 1990s,

the group starts to change in important ways.

A member of Yemen's parliament resigns in protest

and joins the Believing Youth.

He felt that the government of Yemen was corrupt

and far too influenced by Yemen's neighbor

to the north, Saudi Arabia.

Al Houthi blamed outside influence

for many of the country's problems.

So as he leaves the government,

Al Houthi uses his wealth and family connections

in the Zaidi community to become the leader

of the Believing Youth.

He wants an Islamic revolution,

modeled after the one in Iran.

One that kicks out any foreign influence

and restores Islamic values.

- [Reporter] Outrage with the speed of the human shout.

- With Al Houthi's influence,

this group of young men in the mountainous region

of Yemen starts to change.

They begin protesting Yemen's president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Soon they start taking up weapons, taking over territory,

and eventually setting up their own security checkpoints

in their region.

The Believing Youth are starting

to look a lot less like a summer camp

and a lot more like a militia, like a rebellion.

President Saleh,

who had previously supported the Believing Youth,

is starting to get worried.

And then in 2001,

the entire Middle East would change forever.

After 9/11, the US launches a war on terror.

(reflective music)

They asked President Saleh for help,

and he cooperates, taking military aid

and allowing American Special Forces

to operate inside Yemen,

where the terrorist group Al-Qaeda has a presence.

18 months later,

the US presence in the region would balloon even more

when the American military invades and occupies Iraq.

For Al Houthi and his group of young men,

this crosses a red line and deeply radicalizes the movement.

Al Houthi criticizes the president publicly

for pandering to what he sees as American imperialism

in Muslim lands.

And many in Yemen agree,

joining the movement and bolstering their numbers.

Al Houthi adopts the violent slogan

that sits on the flag of his movement to this day:

God is great. Death to America.

Death to Israel. Curse on the Jews.

Victory to Islam.

President Saleh feels threatened by the growth

of this increasingly radical movement

that is taking control of territory in the north.

He issues an arrest warrant and a bounty for Al Houthi

and brutally cracks down on their protests.

In response, the Believing Youth launch an armed rebellion

in the north of Yemen,

leading to counterattacks by the Yemeni military.

Shortly after the fighting begins,

Al Houthi is killed in a cave in the north.

The rebels he leaves behind fight on with new conviction,

and the world would know them by the name of their martyr,

a symbol of imperial resistance

that would soon be firing rockets at Israel

and hijacking cargo ships in the Red Sea.

(reflective music)

This Yemen story is about to get really fascinating.

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With that, let's dive back into Yemen.

By 2004, the Houthis have morphed

into a full-blown rebellion,

fighting against Yemen's government

from their northern strongholds.

They know this land well

and they have local support,

allowing them to fight a guerrilla campaign

against the government forces,

blending in with civilians, hiding in mountains and caves,

and allowing them to resist

the much better equipped Yemeni army.

As the conflict turns more violent,

more tribes in the region would feel

that the military is being overly brutal,

leading them to join the Houthis.

And it's at this time that the conflict goes international.

The Houthis say that Saudi Arabia

is letting the government of Yemen position troops right

across this border.

So they invade into Saudi Arabia,

killing Saudi soldiers and taking hostages.

This pulls Saudi Arabia into the conflict,

as they respond with airstrikes and troops

and push the Houthis out of their territory,

punishing them for this invasion.

Now, over here, Iran is watching this war,

and they see an opportunity.

The Houthis are now fighting directly

against their biggest rival, Saudi Arabia.

So they start secretly sending weapons to the Houthis.

At least that's what Saudi Arabia claims,

saying that they intercepted an Iranian ship filled

with weapons and military trainers

on their way to the Houthis.

It looks like Iran is directly supporting the Houthis now.

Though how much support they provide

behind the scenes will always be intentionally unclear.

As the conflict between the Houthis

and the government continues in the north,

Saudi Arabia has been fighting their own war on terror

against a branch of Al-Qaeda operating in Saudi Arabia.

Seeing that their days are numbered,

this branch of Al-Qaeda flees south

over the border into Yemen, where they merge their forces

with the Yemen branch of Al-Qaeda.

They create Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP,

one of the most dangerous and well-funded versions

of the group to ever exist.

The group's goal is to create a strict Islamic state

across the whole region,

while violently waging holy war

against foreigners in Muslim lands.

(reflective music)

This puts them at odds with both the Yemeni government

and the Houthis.

The conflict is getting more complicated.

Around 2011, the region starts to change in big ways.

In one country after another,

there's an outpouring of public anger on the streets,

demanding change from their government,

removing old leaders.

This is called the Arab Spring.

It's upheaval that spirals the region into hope and chaos.

(protesters shouting in foreign language)

- [Johnny] Iran and Saudi Arabia see this as an opportunity

to strategically choose sides in all of these countries,

in hopes that when the dust settles,

they will come out with a stronger hand of allies

in the region.

And one of their main focuses is Yemen,

a country that is also rising up,

calling for President Saleh to step down.

The corrupt dictator of Yemen is running out of time,

which is something the Houthis have been fighting

for for years.

But Saleh refuses to step down, adding fuel to the uprising.

Saudi Arabia sees this situation at their southern border

and decides to step in with the help of the UN,

convincing Saleh to transfer power to his vice president,

in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

On his way out, Saleh takes the billions of dollars

that he corruptly amassed during his time in office,

and he also retains the loyalty of key parts

of the military, fighters that are only loyal to him.

But the people aren't satisfied

with this new Saudi-backed president.

The government remains weak and unorganized.

Meanwhile, the Houthis are taking advantage

of this infighting and only getting stronger,

taking more and more territory from the government,

adding to their forces,

and receiving more support from their backer, Iran,

who is supplying them with more training, missiles,

drones, and other advanced weapons.

They use these weapons in the fall of 2014

to march into southern Yemen,

taking over large swaths of territory.

(reflective music)

Now that the Houthis have momentum,

the former President Saleh joins them

in an alliance of convenience.

In fact, Saleh's forces are critical

in helping the Houthis take the capital city of Sana'a.

Saleh is now working with his former enemy,

against his own vice president,

the man he had to give power to when he stepped down.

President Hadi and his government flee south

as the Houthis take over,

but the Houthis are right behind them.

So Hadi has to flee to Saudi Arabia,

trying to govern Yemen from there.

But the Houthis just keep gaining momentum.

By the middle of 2015,

they now control the capital city completely,

where they create their own government

and take control of the government's military weapons,

helping them expand even further into the south.

Now that the Houthis are in power,

they run an oppressive regime that silences free speech,

crushes dissent through arrest and torture,

and recruits children as soldiers,

all while imposing strict religious laws

that undermine women's rights.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is getting nervous.

Their southern neighbor is now controlled

by a group that is funded by their biggest enemy.

So they recruit the support of countries

around the region and invade Yemen,

with the goal of removing the Houthis from power.

The war is led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,

Saudi Arabia's up-and-coming leader and defense minister.

He starts with a widespread bombing campaign

and a naval blockade that prevents shipping

in and out of the country,

with the goal of trying to cut off support coming

in from Iran.

The crown prince turns to the United States

in need of more weapons for this war.

While the US leaders are reluctant to get involved

in another Middle East conflict,

they also want to maintain a good relationship

with Saudi Arabia, who is their major security

and energy partner in the region.

They also have an interest

in weakening Al-Qaeda's growing presence in Yemen.

So in addition to supporting this war

with logistics and intelligence,

President Obama approves billions of dollars of weapons:

planes, tanks, and even weapons banned

by most of the world for how dangerous they are

for civilians, like cluster munitions.

(tense music)

This quickly turns Saudi Arabia into the largest importer

of American weapons for the next four years.

So it's 2015,

and Yemen is in a full-blown war between the Houthis

and Saudi Arabia and their coalition.

This is when Al-Qaeda, who's not on either side,

takes advantage of this chaos

and makes a land grab in the middle of Yemen.

They take major cities and clash with government forces.

Also taking advantage of the instability

is the terrorist group ISIS,

who come to Yemen and fight the Houthis and Al-Qaeda,

at the same time.

Though their attacks are scattered,

and they don't control significant territory.

The US then gets more involved by launching airstrikes

at Al-Qaeda and ISIS targets to stop them

from gaining any more territory.

They tried to kill their leadership.

But the US has to do this carefully

because they don't want to engage the Houthis.

Their fight is with Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

In May of 2015,

the Houthis attack a city just across the border

in Saudi Arabia, killing two and taking hostages,

forcing an airport to shut down.

The crown prince doesn't take being attacked

on his own soil lightly, especially by Iran's proxies.

So over the next 24 hours,

the Saudis launch 130 airstrikes in Yemen,

hitting homes, schools, and hospitals.

Thousands are forced to flee from their home.

Hundreds are reported dead,

though we'll never know the real death toll.

These strikes are almost immediately called war crimes.

But the crown prince doesn't back down.

His coalition then sends in ground troops from the south,

pushing back the Houthis and taking back the city of Aden.

He's behaving as if he's fighting his greatest enemy, Iran.

It's a vicious cycle that is common in proxy wars like this,

and it lands the people of Yemen

in the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

The international community tries to intervene

with diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting.

But over the next six years, those efforts would fail,

and Saudi Arabia would continue its brutal campaign,

all using American weapons.

The Houthis continue to fight,

to show that they are legitimate,

that they are the government of Yemen.

They aren't just doing Iran's bidding.

(somber music)

The war continues to destroy cities and land,

and the blockade continues to keep trade out.

The Saudis continue to bomb indiscriminately.

And with time, 2 million Yemenis are displaced,

forced to leave their homes to flee this violence.

- [Reporter] 150,000 civilians have had to-

- [Johnny] But this doesn't stop the Houthis

from escalating their offensive.

They start attacking Saudi Arabia directly with missiles

and drones in their capital city

and their civilian airports,

using weapons that most believe are coming from Iran.

(tense music)

In December of 2017,

the Saudis and the UAE convinced President Saleh

to break his alliance with the Houthis

and return to power as president of Yemen.

They hope that Saleh, the former dictator,

might be able to hold onto power and rule more effectively.

Saleh takes the deal and changes sides yet again,

breaking with the Houthis

and joining the Saudi-led coalition.

(reflective music)

Fighting breaks out between the Houthis

and Saleh's militias,

and Saleh is killed just two days later.

(reflective music)

Meanwhile, in the United States, there's a new president.

President Trump orders increased drone strikes

and raids against Al-Qaeda,

helping government forces take back large amounts

of territory.

Despite the war crimes committed using American weapons,

Trump approves more weapons sales to Saudi Arabia

to wage this war.

And then in 2018, the conflict takes on a new dimension.

The UAE, who's a part of the Saudi-led coalition,

is starting to lose faith

in the direction this war is going.

They don't like the current government of Yemen,

and they're losing soldiers on the ground.

It's damaging their reputation on the world stage.

So the UAE leaves the coalition.

But they still want to influence

who will ultimately control Yemen,

so they start backing a new group

in the south called the Southern Transitional Council,

or STC.

This group isn't aligned with the government or the Houthis.

They're calling for a separation

of the southern part of Yemen.

They want their own state. They want their own country.

So the UAE starts to withdraw their troops

from the south of the country,

and the STC separatists start taking control

of southern provinces.

The Saudi coalition is fracturing,

and yet another group is jumping into the fighting,

showing just how up for grabs Yemen has become.

By the fall of 2019, the war has reached maximum complexity.

You've got the Saudi coalition backing

the former government of Yemen,

mostly relegated to the east of the country.

The UAE is now backing this separatist movement

in the south, who are fighting

against the former government of Yemen.

The Houthis backed by Iran still maintain majority control

of the major cities in the north.

Al-Qaeda and its militia allies are still fighting

to control small slices of the country.

And the US continues to conduct airstrikes

against Al-Qaeda and ISIS,

while supporting and selling more weapons

to the Saudi coalition.

Yemen is fracturing further,

and if there's any hope for peace,

power needs to be consolidated.

So Saudi Arabia and the UAE make amends,

and then, together, they convince the government of Yemen

and the separatists in the south to form a new coalition

to fight against the Houthis together as a united front.

But it doesn't stop the Houthis,

who are getting really good at fighting

and are firing more Iranian missiles

and drones into Saudi Arabia,

hitting state-owned oil refineries

and threatening to drive up oil prices globally.

By January 2021, the Houthis,

a group started to provide religious summer camps

to young men, are now battle hardened,

and they control 70 to 80% of the population of Yemen.

Later that year,

the UN announces that approximately 20 million

of those people are dependent

on humanitarian aid for their daily needs.

And at this point, the war starts to settle in

to an uncomfortable stalemate.

(somber music)

In April 2022, the UN brokers a ceasefire,

and the fighting stops.

Behind the scenes,

Saudi Arabia and Iran have been in diplomatic talks,

sponsored by China.

Regional tensions are cooling,

which means that their proxy war in Yemen is also cooling.

Saudi Arabia has had enough of the fighting.

President Hadi resigns and hands power over

to a council meant to govern Yemen and manage the war.

And both sides are tired of the fighting.

So when that ceasefire is set to expire in October 2022,

the conflict mostly stays quiet,

even without a new agreement.

By 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran have officially restored

their diplomatic relations.

Saudi Arabia hoping

that this means Iran will stop supporting Houthis

to attack their southern border.

(somber music)

But the Saudis keep their maritime blockade

around the country,

making life in Yemen unlivable for millions.

But at this point,

the heaviest of the fighting on all sides has stopped.

But then in the fall of 2023,

the Houthis were back in the news.

After the Palestinian group Hamas launches a brutal attack

into Israel, the Israeli military invades the Gaza Strip,

vowing to destroy Hamas and free the hostages

that they took.

The campaign leads to tens of thousands

of Palestinian civilian deaths,

and it provokes a response

from Iranian-backed groups all throughout the region.

The Houthis are one of those groups.

They launch drones and cruise missiles into southern Israel,

vowing that their attacks won't stop

until the invasion of Gaza stops.

And then they start firing their missiles

and drones at cargo ships that are traveling

through the Red Sea,

where 25% of container traffic travels,

a major artery in our global economy.

In the days after these missiles start flying,

traffic through this Red Sea route declines by 73%.

In response, the US and UK shoot down Houthi missiles

and drop bombs on Houthi military targets in Yemen,

pulling the US and its allies deeper

into this enduring conflict.

(reflective music)

The reason I wanted to tell you the story

of this conflict in Yemen.

Because it represents the vicious cycle present

in a lot of proxy wars,

where geopolitical rivals use their neighbors

as battlefields instead of fighting each other directly.

They fund and add fuel to local conflicts,

escalating them to the entire country,

and often to the entire region,

leaving violence and power vacuums in their wake,

which are then filled by bad actors trying

to take advantage of the instability.

All of this changes Borders,

destroys cities, and ruins lives.

It's the story of powerful countries

and their cynical scramble

for influence and power in vulnerable places,

leaving behind them a wake of tremendous human suffering.

(somber music)