Author: M. Farahi Tujegi
The war in Yemen and its Consequences
The roots of the conflict and the war in Yemen goes back to its political and social conditions, which, following the example of the uprising of the people of Tunisia and Egypt, have entered a critical and inflamed stage where the people are chanting the slogan of ousting Ali Abdullah Saleh.
This riotous and costly move took place on January 14, 2011, and on February 3, the day of the opposition’s anger reached the peak of tension, and finally the hammer of the bloody and violent reaction of the government to the protesters. The strongest clash took place on March 18, on a bloody Friday, leaving 50 dead and 240 wounded, causing Ali Abdullah Saleh to be overthrown and flee.
The Yemeni crisis-makers and challenges were not only domestic actors, but also regional and supra-regional actors, who secretly put the situation in the situation. The consequences of the war and its devastating consequences have left the country facing the challenges of famine, disease and poverty have cut off the travail of the poor and helpless people.
The strategic position of Yemen
Yemen is one of the most important countries in the world in terms of strategic position and economic context and has an important role in the field of industry and trade; Because Yemen is located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula and has vast maritime borders in the Red Sea as well as the Gulf of Aden. It is of particular importance and plays an influential role due to the fact that the country is completely famous through the sea borders from the south and west, as well as the island of Socotra to the Horn of Africa. The country’s aristocracy has also added additional importance to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in order to ensure energy security and to provide goods for transportation. In fact, most of the Suez Canal commutes come from Bab al-Mandeb; Therefore, Bab al-Mandeb is extremely important as the Suez Canal and is a vital artery. Given that the high rate of goods and weapons is being transported from the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, securing it is too important for all the Red Sea coastal states and does not bear any shortcomings or faults; For example: In 1973, in the Egypt-Syria war, which was against the Zionist regime, the Arab Republic of Yemen, in coordination with Cairo, prevented ships from entering and passing through the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb and prevented them from reaching the Zionists, thus preventing the Zionists from reaching the Zionists. The use of major naval forces against Egypt through the Red Sea was shortened; An approach that played an effective role in combat operations on the Sinai front and upset the equations. The growth of the trade industry and the attraction of tourists to important cities such as Jeddah and Yanbu (Saudi Arabia) and dozens of other coastal cities through the Red Sea, depends on ensuring the security and tranquility of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The currents involved in Yemen
In Yemen There are four main currents parties that engaged in political activities that directly monitor the ups and downs of its developments:
1. The congressional process, which is attributed to former President Ali Abdullah and Mansour Hadi
2. The Salafist Reform Party, which has the support of Saudi Arabia
3. The southern current, which covers the majority of Yemen. It has three approaches from within, independence seeker, the proponents of federalism, and the minimal current
4. The Zaydi and the Houthis, which are present in various places, especially in the Saada region, and said to be supported by Iran.
The following can also be considered as important reasons for the revolution of the Yemeni people and the cause of the unrest in 2011 onwards:
1. Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism
2. The existence of problems and the prevalence of widespread economic corruption
3. Internal instability and insecurity
4. Unemployment and lack of food resources.
One of the most important social problems in Yemen, especially among the youth, is the problem of unemployment. The growth of the high population on the one hand and the inability of the government to create jobs on the other hand have caused the unemployment rate in this country to increase. The unemployment rate in Yemen is 28%, which is 57% of the youth. The problems of Yemen are not limited to the deep rift of the economy and corruption, but the civil wars have added to the complexity and tension of its political situation.
More than a decade after the continuation of problems and disorders, the people of this country are still living in the vortex of poverty and economic unrest.
More than 3 million people have been displaced so far, according to statistics released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in December 2020. The continuation of the war and the conflict has caused the Yemeni people to face a humanitarian catastrophe and have sucked their blood.
After the start of the civil war in Yemen, about 80% of the country’s population needs humanitarian aid to live a normal life and survive. Currently, as a result of this war, according to the statistics of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about half a million people are living below the poverty line and in the face of absolute famine, and since 2021, 16 million people continue to starve.
Given the challenging Yemeni crisis, the international community needs to fulfill its duty to human rights, which it has always claimed; These rights are the most basic. That is, the right to life to the rights that make life more valuable; For example, food, education, work, health and freedom. The United Nations must take action to fulfill them; Otherwise, we will unfortunately see the continuation of disorder and waiting for another human catastrophe. According to the United Nations, there have been human rights violations in Yemen; These include arbitrary killing, forced disappearance, arbitrary detention and other degrading treatment, the use of children in conflicts, and the obstruction of fair trials.
The economy of Yemen was tied to a thread before the conflicts, with the outbreak of the war and its escalation, it became more chaotic and scattered; So that hundreds of thousands of families have lost their steady source of income, all economic openings have been closed to them.
Famine and hunger have made many Yemeni people malnourished. For example: if half of the people get one meal, they are not sure of getting another meal.
We hope that the international community and the conflicting parties will reach a comprehensive agreement considering the troubled situation in Yemen. As the representative of the United Nations in the affairs of Yemen said on Saturday, December 23, “the warring parties of Yemen have agreed on the option of a new ceasefire and have committed to participate in a meeting with the leadership of the United Nations in order to establish peace and end the war.”
It is hoped that such a truce will take place; Because if the war continues, the dark shadow of hunger, famine and displacement will widen, and the wishes of thousands of innocent children will be destroyed.