sign in sign up
<<
Home , Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Battle of Aden (2015), Battle of Aden (2018), Yemeni Civil War (1994), Yemeni Revolution, Yemen Arab Republic

Shanghai Model XX 2018 | Research Reports

Forum: Security Council Issue: The Question of Student Officer: Heon Lee Position: President of the Security Council

Introduction

The past decade for the of Yemen has been one with numerous conflicts. With the Yemeni in 2011, Yemeni Coup d’état from 2014 to 2015, and the Yemeni from 2015 to the present, Yemen has been in a constant state of internal strife. The , according to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, has created a situation in which “more than 22 million people urgently require some form of humanitarian help.” Despite the catastrophic effect the Yemeni Civil War has taken on the citizens of Yemen, it has had an inversely proportional media coverage as it is one of the least broadcasted war in the 20th and 21st century.

The crisis has more specifically led to the death of 10,000 Yemenis, casualty of 40,000, and the decimation of food supply for 8 million. The continued aerial, naval, and ground blockades that have cut access to vital resources for Yemenis, which have further aggravated this humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Arabia has led the coalition for a joint military operation that includes the indiscriminate airstrike in Yemen in attempts to restore the former Yemeni government. The bombings have led to the endangerment of millions of innocent civilian lives and death of more than 5,200.

The war has yet to show signs of abating, and it is imperative for the United Nations and its fellow nations to take the necessary steps to bring peace in Yemen. Countries must support the Houthi insurgents and the Hadi regime to reach a peaceful compromise through a swift and feasible resolution in hopes to help maintain order and preserve innocent lives.

Definition of Key Terms

Gulf Cooperation Council

The (GCC) is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union that consists of all the nations Arab states of the Persian Gulf except . The coalition led by for the strategic bombing are nations in GCC except for , and GCC is currently heavily involved with the Yemeni Civil War. Houthi

Officially called Ansar Allah, the is an Islamic theological movement. Houthis are Zaydi Shiites, a minority of the Islamic community.

Supreme Political Council

Research Report Topic| Page !1 of !8 Shanghai Model United Nations XIX 2017 | Research Reports

The Supreme Political Council is an executive body created by the Houthis. It is one of the main belligerents in the war.

Internationally Displaced Person (IDP)

Anyone who was forced to leave their home to avoid the consequences of an armed conflict or natural disasters yet have not crossed an international to a place to take refuge is an internationally displaced person (IDP). Proxy War

Proxy wars differ from traditional wars in that major powers of the war have a limited physical engagement in the war itself yet support and provide resources to a different party to fight. The Yemeni Civil War is often referred to as a proxy war since and Saudi Arabia provides Houthis and Hadi-led forces with funds and weapons. Civil War

A war between citizens of the same country. The Yemeni Civil War is a conflict between the incumbent government led by Hadi and the Houthi militia.

Coalition

A temporary alliance usually formed by two or more political parties to achieve a common goal. Saudi Arabia is currently leading a coalition that has launched several military operations in support of Hadi’s government. Background Information

Events leading to the Yemeni Civil War The history of the conflict between the Yemenis government and Shiites is one that starts in the with the emergence of Houthis, a group which at the time preached peace and tolerance. It was only in 2004 when the Houthis declared war on the government and picked up arms, leading to a rise in tension. The government suppressed the uprising, and the ended with the death of the Houthi’s leader. Though the government accused Houthis of the attempt to overthrow the government, the Houthis dismissed, claiming that they fought to defend themselves and end the social and religious discrimination. The fight between the two groups continued periodically for the next decade. The conflict, however, worsened in 2011 mostly due in part of the failed transition of power from the authoritarian president, , to his vice president at the time, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Saleh had reigned over Yemen for more than 30 years, but months of of thousands in the capital Sana’a in led to the resignment of Saleh in November 2011. Hadi became the next president, and after the election of February 2012, in which Hadi was the only candidate, his position as president solidified. The transition of power to the Yemenis people meant a change towards stability, democracy, and peace; however, from the moment Hadi became president, he struggled with countless issues. Despite Hadi’s attempts to stabilize Yemen, the constant attacks from Al Qaeda, corruption resulting from

Page 2! of 8! | Research Report Topic Shanghai Model United Nations XX 2018 | Research Reports a power struggle, , food insecurity, and military officers who continued to stay loyal to Saleh, all led to more and more Yemenis losing faith in the government. The increasingly aggressive Houthis took advantage of Hadi’s weaknesses, and in September 2014 took over Sana’a, initiating a civil war.

After the Houthi insurgents took over the capital of Yemen, they forced the government to resign, and the Houthis gained power over politics in Yemen. In January 2015, the proposal to split the government into six federal regions angered the Houthis, and they took over the presidential compound, forcing Hadi and his ministers to resign as well. The Houthi kept Hadi imprisoned, but in February, he was able to escape to his home city, the southern port city of . The Houthi and military officers still loyal to Saleh attempted to take over the whole country to expand and regain their power, which forced Hadi to flee abroad in March 2015. Hadi has since remained in , the capital of Saudi Arabia.

International Response Feeling like a response was necessary, the GCC has launched military action led by Saudi Arabia for strategic bombing and aerial, land, and naval blockade in attempts of economic isolation. Hadi’s government and the Saudi-led coalition has also had significant backings from the U.S. through logistical and intelligence support. Furthermore, Amnesty International claims that the United Kingdom has also been aiding the Saudi-led coalition through the supply of weaponry. The aerial bombing has led to the death and displacement of civilians and the destruction of vital infrastructures.

In response to the Saudi-led coalition, the Houthis have increased their missile on Saudi Arabian infrastructure and territory. Though the U.S. and Saudi Arabia accuse the Houthis of being a proxy for the Iranian government, both the Houthis and the Iranian government has denied the affiliation thus far. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia claim that Iran has been providing weaponry and training to the Houthis. Moreover, there have been claims that the neighboring African country Eritrea has been helping smuggle Iranian supplies to the Houthis and providing medical support for injured fighters. Eritrea and the Houthis have also denied this claim. Terrorism and Southern Transitional Council The situation in Yemen is much more complicated than a war with two sides: the Hadi government and Houthis. Excluding the foreign intervention such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, the civil war has five main belligerents: Hadi’s government, Houthis, Southern Transitional Council, al Qaeda in the (AQAP), and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (IS). AQAP and IS, two rivaling terrorist groups, have taken their opportunity to use the chaos caused by the civil war to attack both the government and the country’s Shiite population. AQAP, the al Qaeda affiliate that is believed to be the most dangerous, was created in 2009 when the Saudi Arabian al Qaeda group unified with the Yemen al Qaeda group. The group has been developing their ties with local communities that are against the Houthis and its allies. AQAP is now better armed than ever and poses a significant threat to the safety of Yemen. Its strong base in Yemen has allowed for AQAP to undertake terrorist activities within Yemen and neighboring nations. United Arab

Research Report Topic| Page !3 of !8 Shanghai Model United Nations XIX 2017 | Research Reports of has been a significant contributor in the war against AQAP. It has heavily condemned AQAP and trained 30,000 Yemeni soldiers to fight AQAP. In 2014, IS announced plans to expand into Yemen. Though not on a scale as large as Hadi’s troops, AQAP, and Houthis, IS is responsible for numerous attacks in Yemen that have resulted in deaths of civilians. The Southern Transitional Council (STC), the southern separatist group, has further complicated the issue. After Hadi fired the governor of Aden on April 27, 2017, people have protested the decision and eventually led to the formation of STC on May 4, 2017. The is one that has been trying to gain independence for with its pre-1990 . The STC shared an uneasy alliance with the Hadi-led government starting from Houthis aggressive siege of Sana’a, has on January 28, 2018, broke the pact when it led a coup d’etat against the Hadi-led government and seized the government headquarters in Aden. Humanitarian Crisis Currently, the Yemen Civil War is the worst humanitarian crisis. Blockade by the Saudi-led coalition makes it nearly impossible for the UN and organizations to send food, water, and fuel to help. Yemen has been experiencing extreme poverty, and its GDP has been decreasing for the past three years, and it is the most impoverished nation in the . 60%, 18 million, of the people are food insecure. Also, 8.4 million do not know how they will obtain their next meal. 55% of the population does not have regular access to safe water and basic hygiene, and 25% need nutrition support. Moreover, 75%, 22 million, of the people are in need of some form of humanitarian aid. Less than 50% of the health facilities are currently working, and 56% of the population do not have access to basic health care. 3 million are displaced, and 280,000 have already fled the country in search for asylum. Conditions for the Yemenis are worsening as the war is prolonged. Both sides have committed war crimes under international laws including violations of . These violations include rape, torture, and deprivations of human rights. The Houthis have also been recruiting young children to fight and blocking access to humanitarian agencies. Additionally, the Saudi-led coalition has failed to cooperate with the UN in the airstrikes, and the coalition has caused the most direct civilian casualties as the airstrikes have hit residential areas, markets, funerals, weddings, detention facilities, civilian boats, and even medical facilities.

Major Countries and Organizations Involved

United States of America The U.S. has been a major ally of Saudi-led coalition and Yemen, helping provide intelligence and weaponry. The U.S. has also been conducting airstrikes against terrorist organizations, most notably AQAP and IS. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has been one of the strongest supporters of the Hadi-led government as it has been leading the coalition. Its participation in the conflict is mainly because of the concerns over Shia Iranians advancing in the region.

Page 4! of 8! | Research Report Topic Shanghai Model United Nations XX 2018 | Research Reports

Iran Though it denies it, most believe Iran has been supporting the Houthis through medical aid, financial aid, training of troops, and supplies of weaponry. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) AQAP has taken advantage of the situation in Yemen and has increased its presence and undertaking of terrorist activities. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (IS) IS has also been taking advantage of the destabilization of Yemen resulting from the civil war. It has claimed itself responsible for numerous terrorist activities and the deaths caused by it. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) The GCC is heavily involved in the conflict. All nations in the GCC except Oman have been participating in the battle through the Saudi-led coalition. Furthermore, the GCC has been placing embargoes and condemning countries that have attempted to support the Houthi . Southern Transitional Council The Southern Transitional Council has had an alliance with the Hadi-led government until 2017. Their uprising against the Hadi-government and claim of its independence has further destabilized the conflict.

Timeline of Events

Date Description of event , 1990 Unification of () and People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen). May-July 1994 Civil conflict waged between the pro-union northern and socialist separatist southern Yemeni states and supporters. The northern troops won and led to the reunification of Yemen. January 27, 2011 begins after the mass protest. , 2011 Saleh signs power-transfer agreement under which he would transfer his power to his vice president . September 2014 Houthi rebels take control over most of the capital Sana’a. January 20 2015 Houthis take over presidential palace. February 2015 Houthis appoint presedential council to replace Hadi. March 19, 2015 Airports. Hadi’s troops fight against those who refuse to recognize his authority. General Abdul-Hafez al-Saqqaf is defeated by Hadi’s force and he flees to Sana’a. April 2016 Start of UN-sponsored talks between the Hadi-led government on one side and Houthis and former President Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC) on the other.

Research Report Topic| Page !5 of !8 Shanghai Model United Nations XIX 2017 | Research Reports

May 4, 2017 Formation of Southern Transitional Council November 2017 Saudi Arabia temporarily stops its blockade in order to let aids to enter Yemen. December 4, 2017 As Saleh attempts to flee to Sana’a, he is killed by Houthi rebels. January 28, 2018 The STC leads a coup d’etat against the Hadi-led government and seizes the government headquarter in Aden. February 13, 2018 Houthis agree to attend peace talks administered by Oman August 28, 2018 The UN releases a report that catalogues war crimes committed by both sides during the Yemen civil war.

Relevant UN Treaties and Events

Security Council Resolutions • 26th February, 2014 (S/RES/2140) • 15th February, 2015 (S/RES/2201) • 14th April, 2015 (S/RES/2216) • 24th February, 2016 (S/RES/2266) • 23rd February, 2017 (S/RES/2342) • 26th February, 2018 (S/RES/2402)

Security Council Presidential Statements • 25th April, 2016 (S/PRST/2016/5) • 22nd March, 2015 (S/PRST/2015/8) • 25th April 2016 (S/PRST/2016/5) • 15th June 2017 (S/PRST/2017/7) • 9th August 2017 (S/PRST/2017/14) • 15th March 2018 (S/PRST/2018/5)

Previous Attempts to solve the Issue

Despite the numerous attempts to foster peace talks between the two sides, all were unsuccessful. The main issue in regards to the peace talks were the differing opinions on how the ceasefire should be executed. Both sides are unwilling to concede any territory or political power. Nations involved in the conflict have blocked the UN’s attempts to create an independent organization responsible for investigating and addressing concerns regarding the issue. Furthermore, the GCC’s engagement in the conflict and its condemnation of the illegitimacy of the Houthis have appeased other nations, and it now has permission from the UN.

Page 6! of 8! | Research Report Topic Shanghai Model United Nations XX 2018 | Research Reports

The fact that the US and UK are in favor of the GCC and the Hadi-led government means that it any resolutions passed in the Security Council are most likely going to be pro-coalition and pro-Hadi; otherwise, both nations will most likely veto the resolution.

Possible Solutions

There are varying aspects of the Yemen crisis that must be addressed to end the conflict in Yemen. First and foremost, there must be a fostering of peace talks that directly involve all parties that are currently participating in the war. These nations would include Hadi-led government, Houthis, Saudi- led coalition, and Iran. All parties must agree. Possible solutions should also build upon existing programs that exist to achieve the same goals. Solutions should also be divided into a short-term and long-term solution. Short-term solutions should try to ameliorate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen through a multitude of avenues. Such a method could include cooperating with humanitarian organizations and parties that are engaging in the war. Long-term solutions should try to create a platform from which Yemen could build a stable government and begin stabilization in Yemen. It is most likely that only a political solution would result in long-lasting stabilization. Attempts of political solutions should attempt to create new elections and foster an environment in which the different religious groups can coexist peacefully.

Bibliography

“AQAP Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 6 Sept. 2018, https://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/16/ middleeast/aqap-fast-facts/index.html. “As Conditions Worsen in Yemen, New UN Envoy Hopes to Rekindle Peace Talks | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations, 17 Apr. 2018, https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/04/1007512. Batati, Saeed Al. “Who Are the Houthis in Yemen?” GCC News | , Al Jazeera, 29 Mar. 2015, www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/08/yemen-houthis-hadi- -201482132719818986.html. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Gulf Cooperation Council.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 15 Dec. 2017, www.britannica.com/topic/Gulf-Cooperation-Council. Byman, Daniel L. “Why Engage in Proxy War? A State's Perspective.” Brookings, Brookings, 22 May 2018, www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2018/05/21/why-engage-in-proxy-war-a-states- perspective/. Cook, Steven A., et al. “Global Conflict Tracker.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 9 Oct. 2018, www.cfr.org/interactives/global-conflict-tracker#!/conflict/war-in-yemen.

Cumming-Bruce, Nick. “War Crimes Report on Yemen Accuses Saudi Arabia and U.A.E.” , The New York Times, 28 Aug. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/world/middleeast/un- yemen-war-crimes.html.

Research Report Topic| Page !7 of !8 Shanghai Model United Nations XIX 2017 | Research Reports

Dwyer, Colin. “Yemen Prime Minister Holed Up As Separatists Seize Most Of Key Southern City.” NPR, NPR, 30 Jan. 2018, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/30/581821833/yemen-prime- minister-holed-up-as-separatists-seize-most-of-key-southern-city.

Horton, Michael. “Fighting the Long War: The Evolution of Al-Qa`Ida in the Arabian Peninsula – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.” Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, 15 Nov. 2017, https://ctc.usma.edu/fighting-the-long-war-the-evolution-of-al-qaida-in-the-arabian- peninsula/.

“Key Facts about the War in Yemen.” Yemen News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 25 Mar. 2018, www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/key-facts-war-yemen-160607112342462.html.

“OHCHR | Questions and Answers about IDPs.” OHCHR | Freedom of Religion: UN Expert Hails Albania, but Notes New Challenges and Unresolved Issues from the Past, www.ohchr.org/en/ issues/idpersons/pages/issues.aspx.

Perper, Rosie. “Who's Fighting Who in Yemen, Where Conflict and Political Rivalry Have Engulfed the Country for Nearly a Century.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 8 Dec. 2017, www.businessinsider.com/history-of-conflict-in-yemen-2017-12.

Riedel, Bruce. “Who Are the Houthis, and Why Are We at War with Them?” Brookings, Brookings, 18 Dec. 2017, www.brookings.edu/blog/markaz/2017/12/18/who-are-the-houthis-and-why-are-we-at- war-with-them/. Trew, Bel. “A Revealing Look inside the UAE's War on Al-Qaeda in Yemen.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 15 Aug. 2018, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle- east/uae-yemen-civil-war-al-qaeda-aden-dar-saad-gulf-saudi-arabia-conflict-a8492021.html. “Who Is the STC?” Southern Transitional Council (STC), www.stc-uk.org/?page_id=9. Williams, Sara Elizabeth. “Seventeen Killed as 'Isil Militants' Storm Security Compound in Yemen.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 5 Nov. 2017, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/05/ seventeen-killed-isil-militants-storm-security-compound-yemen/. Wintour, Patrick. “All Sides in Yemen May Be Responsible for War Crimes, Say UN Experts.” , Guardian News and Media, 28 Aug. 2018, www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/28/all- sides-in-yemen-may-be-responsible-for-war-crimes-say-un-experts. “Yemen Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 30 Aug. 2018, https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/10/ world/meast/yemen-fast-facts/index.html. “Yemen | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations, 2018, https://news.un.org/en/focus/yemen. “Yemen: United Nations Experts Point to Possible War Crimes by Parties to the Conflict.” OHCHR | Yemen, www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23479&LangID=E. “Yemen Profile - Timeline.” BBC News, BBC, 24 Apr. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle- east-14704951.

Page 8! of 8! | Research Report Topic