Forum: Human Rights Council

Issue: The Humanitarian Consequences of the

Student Officers: Adham Zaineldin, Hannah Nawar, Yomna Ibrahim

I. Introduction:

For the better part of the past decade, has been struggling with arguably the world's most urgent humanitarian crisis. Disease, instability, and civilian deaths are increasingly widespread, and, despite the many attempts to resolve the conflict, the war still wages on. The civil war, which has been subsisting for the past 6 years, has caused immeasurable damage to Yemen and the Yemeni people. Despite the great involvement of foreign countries in the crisis, most of the involved nations have failed to provide sufficient aid and assistance to compensate for the damage they have caused. Although many peace agreements have been set up between the parties, these efforts have proven to be futile as foreign involvement and funding in the civil war have continued to increase. The Civil War has had devastating consequences on Yemen, leaving the country severely damaged both socially and economically. It has led to what the U.N. has labeled the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis”, causing countless civilian injuries and deaths and forcing countless others to flee their homes and seek refuge in nearby countries. The war has also significantly damaged Yemen's economy; exports have effectively ceased, the currency has weakened greatly, and the war has caused immense infrastructural damage. The Human Rights Council will attempt to find a solution to this devastating humanitarian crisis, in order to finally give the Yemeni people the peace they so rightfully deserve.

II. Definition of Key Terms:

Arab Spring: a series of anti-government protests, uprisings, and armed rebellions that spread across several Arab countries in the early . The protests began in Tunisia, before spreading to Libya, , Yemen, and .

Refugee: an individual who is forced to leave their country/city to escape war or persecution.

Ceasefire: an agreement between two opposing sides in a war to temporarily stop fighting.

Humanitarian Crisis: a singular event or a series of events that are threatening in terms of health, safety or well-being of a community or large group of people.

Civil War: a war between citizens of the same country. III. Focused Overview:

1. Background of the Civil War:

The Yemeni Civil War is an ongoing conflict that has been terrorizing Yemeni citizens for nearly a decade. In order to truly understand the gravity of the situation, we must first analyze the root of the civil war: a failure in the attempt to have a political transition. In 2011, a rebellious uprising forced the former authoritarian president to abdicate, leaving Abdrabbuh Al-Hadi, a former field marshal in the Yemeni army, in power. President Al-Hadi was unable to deal with the many issues that plagued Yemen at the time; corruption, jihadist attacks, food insecurity, and unemployment were exceedingly common during his rule. Due to the state of the country’s economy, the newly formed began to rebel against Saleh by taking control over the province and Figure 1: Yemen Protests of 2011 neighboring areas. With the Source: Illinois Library support of its inhabitants, the rebels began to gradually take over (the Yemeni capital) during late 2014 and early 2015. With the help of security forces who had previously been loyal to President Saleh, the rebels continued their offensive, forcing the president to flee on March 15. This incident officially marked the beginning of the Yemeni Civil War.

2. The Yemeni Civil War:

When President Saleh resigned his post and escaped to in January 2015, most people assumed that that meant he was surrendering. However, his intentions were quite the contrary. Weeks after his initial resignation, President Saleh fled to and declared that he was withdrawing his resignation and that he was the legitimate . His pleas led Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt, , , Bahrain, , , and the , to formulate an anti-Houthi coalition and launch Operation Decisive Storm. The also declared its support for the coalition, deeming Saleh the legitimate president of Yemen. However, the operation did not last for long, as only a month after its launch the operation was abandoned and replaced with Operation Restoring Hope. Despite the operation coming to an end on paper, Saudi Arabia continued to bomb Houthi forces in Yemen. This did not seem to affect the Houthi offensive, as they declared a formal alliance with former president Saleh and continued capturing key locations in Yemen, most importantly the city of Ataq and the . In spite of heavy Houthi fire, government forces with support from Saudi troops were able to recapture Aden in September 2015. President Hadi subsequently returned to Yemen and established his reposition in Aden. Terrorist groups, mainly ISIL ( and the Levant) and AQAP (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula), began increasing their involvement in the war, capturing key locations in Aden in January 2016. The United States began launching direct attacks on Yemen in 2016, launching an estimated 35 strikes on Houthi troops that year. In April, the United Nations sponsored talks between President Hadi and Houthi leaders, which resulted in several ceasefires being set up in the following months. However, the ceasefires did not last long, as both sides broke the ceasefires in October. At this time, the war was mostly centered in , , Sanaa, and the Saudi Yemeni border but it continued to spread to other provinces in the following years. Meanwhile, Houthis continued to attack pro-Hadi troops, claiming responsibility for launching missiles on Riyadh, the Saudi Capital, in May 2017. In December 2017, former president Saleh declared that he was no longer affiliated with the Houthis and that he was siding with President Hadi and the Saudis. However, less than a month after his decision, he was assassinated by Houthi troops. His son, , took his place and continued fighting the Houthis. The United Arab Emirates began leading increasingly frequent attacks on Yemeni soil, helping with the capture of Aden in January 2018 and the island of Socotra in May 2018. In December 2018, the U.S. senate attempted to end U.S. Figure 2: Current Situation in Yemen military participation, however President Source: Polgeonow vetoed the attempt. The Houthis continued to attack Saudi troops in 2019, both by launching missiles directly at Saudi territory and by attacking Saudi troops through the newly constructed “Operation Victory from God”. The rise of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 led to a brief ceasefire, however both sides soon resumed fighting. Today the war is still as heated as ever, with the Houthis struggling against Al-Hadi supporters over control of Yemen.

3. Humanitarian Impact of the War:

This conflict has had a devastating impact on all aspects of Yemeni life. It has led to nearly 250,000 Yemeni deaths, both directly through the war and indirectly through food shortages and poor medical conditions. Countless more have been left injured or in critical condition, unable to attain the medical attention they so desperately need. According to the United Nations, nearly 2.3 million Yemeni children less than five years old are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year alone, 400,000 of which are likely to die if they do not receive urgent medical attention. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which has labeled Yemen the world’s “worst humanitarian crisis”, has approximated that nearly 24 million citizens (80% of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance. The war has also caused one of the world’s most urgent refugee crises. The United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) estimates that more than 4 million Yemeni citizens have been forced to flee their homes and have consequently been displaced (either internally or externally). Food shortages are increasingly common, as it is estimated that around 16 million Yemenis are food insecure and that around a third of the population have gaps in their diets (eg. no meat).

4. Economic Impact of the War:

Of the many consequences the Yemeni Civil War has had on Yemen is its devastating impact on the economy. The GDP, which had already fell by a staggering 45% due to the war before the arrival of Covid-19, further plummeted in 2020, falling by another 8.5%. Inflation has been at threateningly high levels, as current prices are on average more than 140% higher than what they were before the war. This has caused the currency’s value to plummet, falling by more than 70% of its pre-war value. Both imports and exports have fallen drastically, and the fall in fuel imports has led to widespread fuel shortages. Figure 3: Graph of the GDP of Yemen

Source: Statista IV. Major Parties Involved:

1. Republic of Yemen:

This is the group internationally recognized as the official government of Yemen. Despite this, they are by no means in complete control of Yemen, as they are still struggling with the Houthis over control. The war between forces loyal to President Hadi and those aligned with the Houthi rebel movement has taken a toll on Yemen. Since March 2015, nearly 250,000 Yemeni people have died and more left in critical condition. These deaths were mostly a result of air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition supporting President Hadi and Houthi attacks on pro-Hadi troops. The war and the coalition's naval blockade have wreaked havoc on the country. With the assistance of the Saudi-led coalition, the pro-Hadi forces have been attempting to regain control of the Houthi-led regions of the country, trying to minimize the harm to both the citizens and the country.

2. Houthi Rebel Group:

In the early stages of the war, the Houthis took their new president Hadi’s weakness as an advantage and started taking control of neighboring areas and the North of Sanaa province. Amongst the protests that occurred during September of 2014, the Houthis began to advance militarily with the support of former President Saleh. By October, they were able to take control over most of Yemen’s Capital, Sanaa. The following month the rebels seized the port city of Hodeida. Clashes between the Houthis and President Hadi caused him to flee, giving the Houthis control of the Yemeni government in February 2015. However, Hadi has since returned to Yemen, and is currently at war with the Houthis over control of the state. Ever since their movement, conditions in Yemen have completely deteriorated. As of January 2021, the Trump Administration has designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

3. United States of America:

Throughout the course of the war the United states has been supporting the Hadi government, mostly through the use of airstrikes. These strikes include a strike on a Yemeni market which killed 97 people in March 2016 and a strike on a funeral hall which killed 155 people in October 2016. Another significant US attack was the highly controversial Seal raid in Yakla in January 2017. It is reported that this attack caused 14 casualties, mostly civilians, including an eight-year-old girl. This raid, which had been ordered by President Donald Trump after just his fifth day in office, caused great backlash for the US. The US classified the Houthi Rebels as ‘foreign terrorists’ aiming to stop their humanitarian support and restricting trade to them. However, many UN officials and aid agencies have called for the US to revoke its classification as it could complicate efforts to end Yemen’s ongoing civil war.

4. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia is a predominantly Sunni country that has been involved in the crisis ever since fighting between Houthi Rebels and the government of Yemen began. Since then, the Saudi mission has spread and deepened to supplying and facing the Houthis with the government of Yemen. Saudi Arabia has put out an official statement declaring that they are planning on continuing to provide support and funding to the Pro-Hadi forces. They often launch airstrikes on Yemen with the aim of restoring the rule of President Hadi and eliminating the Houthi movement. Saudi Arabia leads a coalition supporting the Yemeni Government with the aim of putting an end to the advancement of the Houthis in Yemen, while also commencing naval operations off the coast of Yemen as part of their military operations. V. Timeline of Events:

January 2011 Demonstrations calling for the end of President Ali Saleh’s 33- year rule begin. Saleh offers some concessions—promising not to seek reelection—but the protests spread. Security forces and Saleh’s supporters launch a crackdown that eventually leaves between 200 and 2,000 people dead.

June 2011 President Saleh is seriously injured in a bombing and travels to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.

September 2011 President Saleh returns to the presidential palace amid renewed clashes. It is not until November 2011 that he signs a deal that has his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansour Al-Hadi, assume power and form a unity government.

February 2012 Abdrabbuh Al-Hadi is sworn in for a two-year term as president after an election in which he stood unopposed.

March 2013 Backed by the Security Council, UN Special Envoy Jamal Benomar facilitates a Yemeni National Dialogue Conference (NDC), with participation from Yemen’s diverse political groups (including representatives from the restive south and the Houthi political party named Ansar Allah) and civil society. This Conference aimed on guiding Yemen through the political transition.

January 2014 The National Dialogue Conference concludes after ten months of deliberations, agreeing to a document on which the new constitution would be based.The NDC outcome is praised inside and outside Yemen as a model of compromise and of inclusive representation. Among other things, the NDC document extends Hadi’s term for a year to oversee conclusion of the transition and multi-party elections, gives 50-50 representation between north and south in a legislative body, and guarantees freedom of religion and a non-sectarian state.

February 2014 A presidential panel approves a political transition plan for Yemen that organizes the country into a federation of six regions.

September 2014 Popular protests sparked by a reduction in fuel subsidies erupt against the Hadi government and the Houthis seize the opportunity to move militarily – thus breaking the NDC in which they had participated. Allied with former President Saleh, who they had previously been in conflict with, the Houthis quickly emerged victorious, and President Al-Hadi dissolved his cabinet.

October 2014 The Houthis take control over most of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The following month the rebels seize the Red Sea port city of Hodeida.

January 2015 After being placed under house arrest by the Houthis, Hadi resigns as president. Despite previous attempts to craft a power- sharing agreement between Hadi and the Houthis, the two had continued to clash. The Houthis later reject a draft constitution proposed by Hadi’s government.

February 2015 The Houthis take control of the Yemeni government, a move swiftly denounced by the United Nations. President Hadi flees the presidential palace in Sanaa and escapes to Aden, where he later withdraws his resignation, declaring himself the legitimate president, and deems the Houthi takeover a “coup.”

March 2015 After repeated pleas from Hadi, a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states—including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, and Kuwait—initiates Operation Decisive Storm in support of the ousted president. The coalition launches air strikes against Houthi targets, deploys small ground forces, and imposes a naval blockade. The United States announces its intention to aid the coalition’s efforts. Later, the Islamic State claims its first major attacks in Yemen, setting off two suicide bombs at Shia in Sanaa. The Houthis start an offensive against government forces, advancing toward southern Yemen. Shortly thereafter, the Houthis seize parts of Taiz.

April 2015 The coalition declares an end to Operation Decisive Storm. Saudi Arabia announces it would move on to a phase described as Operation Restoring Hope. Despite the announcement, the Saudi-led coalition continues to bomb Houthi positions and the United States increases its arms sales for the Saudi campaign in Yemen. Despite the bombing campaign, the Houthis capture the city of Ataq. After three Saudi officers die in a Houthi attack at the Saudi border, Saudi Arabia boosts its border security. The Houthi fighters also condemn a UN Security Council resolution imposing an arms embargo on the group, calling the decision an act of “aggression.”

May 2015 Saleh and Yemeni forces loyal to him announce a formal alliance with the Houthis. The Saudis and Houthis agree to a five-day “humanitarian ceasefire.” US President convenes a GCC meeting at Camp David to resolve the crisis in Yemen, but only two states send their leaders.

August 2015 After months of fighting with Sunni tribesmen and AQAP militants, the Houthis take control of the entire Shabwah Governorate.

September 2015 President Hadi returns to Aden after Saudi-backed government forces and those loyal to Hadi recapture the port city of Aden from Houthi forces.

January 2016 ISIL and AQAP capture several neighborhoods in Aden.

March 2016 A strike on a Yemeni market by a US supplied precision-guided MK 84 bomb killed 97 people.

April 2016 The United Nations sponsors talks between the Hadi government and the coalition of Houthis and former President Saleh’s General People’s Congress.

October 2016 Both sides of the conflict allegedly break ceasefires. The United Nations and others try to broker peace talks and political resolutions. Later that month, a U.S. airstrike wreaked devastation in an attack on a funeral hall in Yemen in which 155 people were killed and hundreds more wounded. May 2017 Houthis claim responsibility for firing missiles into Saudi Arabia, including the capital, Riyadh.

June-October 2017 Humanitarian agencies and watchdogs decry the Yemen crisis as one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in the world. There are thousands of civilians dead and wounded, an outbreak of cholera, and a potential famine that would leave thousands on the brink of starvation.

November 2017 Saudi Arabia intercepts a missile fired toward its airport in Riyadh and blames the Houthis, , and Lebanon’s for escalating the war.

December 2017 After President Saleh reversed course and sided with the Saudi- led coalition, fierce fighting in Sanaa between the Houthis and forces loyal to Saleh left the former president dead. Saleh’s son, Ahmed Ali Saleh, vows revenge against the Houthis for his father’s assassination.

January 2018 In a firefight, United Arab Emirates-backed troops seize control of Aden.

March 2018 Fighting escalates along Yemen’s western coast and dozens are killed in Saudi air strikes and security raids. A Saudi-led coalition drone strike kills Saleh Ali al-Sammad, president of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council. International opposition to the coalition’s operations grows after an air raid kills more than 20 at a wedding party.

May 2018 UAE forces take over the island of Socotra, occupying the airport and seaport and causing tensions with Yemeni government officials.

August 2018 A U.S. air raid strikes a school bus, killing 40 civilians, mostly children.

October 2018 US resident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi is assassinated by Saudi agents in Istanbul.

December 2018 The US senate votes to invoke the War Powers Resolution to force the US military to end its participation in the Yemen war.

January 2019 Houthis launch a drone attack on Al-Anad Air Base north of Aden, injuring dozens and killing the head of Yemeni intelligence.

April 2019 President Donald Trump vetoes a congressional measure that would force the US military to end its role in the Yemen war. June 2019 Houthis step up efforts to attack Saudi territory, including launching missiles at oil installations and airports.

August 2019 Houthis launch “Operation Victory from God” against Saudi-led forces and the group continues to escalate its attacks on Saudi oil installations.

September 2019 Houthis claim to have used drones to bomb oil processing facilities in and Khurais in eastern Saudi Arabia. While the Houthis take credit for the aggression, the international community blames Iran because it was thought to have provided the expertise needed to carry out such attacks.

February 2020 Houthi forces carry out missile attacks on military training camps and in Saudi Arabia’s southern provinces.

March 2020 Houthi forces capture the strategic city of al-Hazm in the al-Jawf offensive and Saudi forces carry out a retaliatory air strike on Sanaa. The Trump Administration announces a freeze on $73 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen, fearing the Houthi rebels would control the assistance.

April 2020 Saudi Arabia initiates a unilateral two-week cease-fire to mitigate the risks of the new coronavirus pandemic. Days later, Yemen records its first known case of COVID-19.

May 2020 Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition are accused of carrying out attacks in spite of the ceasefire.

November 2020 The Houthis claim to have fired a missile at the coastal Saudi city of Jeddah.

December 2020 An attack on a Yemeni airport kills at least two dozen people, but no ministers. The Hadi government and much of the international community blames the Houthis for the attack and Saudi warplanes conduct retaliatory raids on Sanaa.

January 2021 The Trump Administration uses the December attack to justify designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

VI. Relevant Treaties and Past U.N. Resolutions:

1. Security Council Resolution 2216:

On April 14th, 2015, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution which established an arms embargo on the Houthis, placed sanctions on their leaders, and called on them to withdraw from several areas they had seized, including Sanaa (the Yemeni Capital). However, this resolution was rejected by the Houthis, who incited mass demonstrations in protest of it.

2. Security Council Resolutions 2342, 2402, ...

After the aforementioned resolution 2216 was agreed upon, the United Nations Security Council met yearly in order to renew resolution 2216.

3. Hudaydah Agreement (Stockholm Agreement):

In December 2018, UN-sponsored talks resulted in the opposing parties agreeing on instating a ceasefire in the city of Hudaydah and removing all military units from the city.

VII. Failed Solution Attempts:

1. In March 2013, United Nations Special Envoy Jamal Benomar facilitated the National Dialogue Conference (NDC), between the different political groups in Yemen. This conference attempted to complete the political transition peacefully, however, based on the current state of Yemen, the conference was clearly unsuccessful.

2. In April 2016, UN-sponsored talks between the Hadi government and the Houthis resulted in several ceasefires being established. However, both sides broke the ceasefires shortly afterwards.

VIII. Possible Solutions:

1. Finding new ways to ensure humanitarian aid is available for Yemeni civilians. 2. Building refugee camps in order to provide food, water, shelter, and aid for Yemeni refugees

IX. Useful Links:

1. Yemen: A Brief Background | unfoundation.org 2. A Timeline of the Yemen Crisis, from the 1990s to the Present | Arab Center Washington DC (arabcenterdc.org) 3. Eight-year-old American girl 'killed in Yemen raid approved by Trump' | Yemen | 4. Bomb in Yemen school bus strike was US-supplied - CNN 5. Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention (refworld.org) 6. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/570473 /EXPO_IDA(2016)570473_EN.pdf

X. Works Cited:

1. “A Timeline of the Yemen Crisis, from the 1990s to the Present.” Arab Center Washington DC, arabcenterdc.org/policy_analyses/a-timeline-of-the-yemen-crisis- from-the-1990s-to-the-present/. 2. “Acute Malnutrition Threatens Half of Children under Five in Yemen in 2021: UN.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/news/item/12-02-2021-acute-malnutrition-threatens- half-of-children-under-five-in-yemen-in-2021-un. 3. “Eight-Year-Old American Girl 'Killed in Yemen Raid Approved by Trump'.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 1 Feb. 2017, www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/01/yemen-strike-eight-year- old-american-girl-killed-al-awlaki. 4. Elbagir, Nima, et al. “Bomb That Killed 40 Children in Yemen Was Supplied by US.” CNN, Cable News Network, 17 Aug. 2018, edition..com/2018/08/17/middleeast/us-saudi-yemen-bus-strike- intl/index.html. 5. “FROM THE FIELD: Millions of Yemenis Facing 'Death Sentence' | | UN News.” United Nations, United Nations, news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1085292#:~:text=FROM%20THE%20 FIELD%3A%20Millions%20of%20Yemenis%20facing%20%27death %20sentence%27,- YPN%20for%20UNOCHA&text=Yemen%20remains%20the%20worl d%27s%20worst,of%20Humanitarian%20Affairs%20(OCHA). 6. Ifpri.org, www.ifpri.org/blog/model-impact-falling-remittances-amid- covid-19-yemens-war-torn-economy. 7. Jongberg, Kirsten. “In-Depth Analysis The conflict in Yemen: latest developments.” 2016. PDF file. 8. “LibGuides: Arab Spring: Yemen.” Yemen - Arab Spring - LibGuides at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=348276&p=2346879. 9. “National Dialogue Conference.” OSESGY, 9 July 2019, osesgy.unmissions.org/national-dialogue-conference. 10. Plecher, Published by H., and Jan 20. “Yemen - Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita 1995-2025.” Statista, 20 Jan. 2021, www.statista.com/statistics/524137/gross-domestic-product- gdp-per-capita-in-yemen/. 11. Political Geography Now, www.polgeonow.com/search/label/yemen. 12. Sharp, Jeremy. “Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention” 2016. PDF file. 13. “Yemen Army Commander Shot Dead in Aden.” The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon, www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle- East/2016/Feb-22/338534-yemen-army-commander-shot-dead-in- aden.ashx. 14. “Yemen Crisis Explained.” How to Help Refugees - Aid, Relief and Donations, www.unrefugees.org/news/yemen-crisis- explained/#:~:text=After%20six%20years%20of%20war,has%20nev er%20been%20more%20acute. 15. “Yemen Emergency: .” UN World Food Programme, www.wfp.org/emergencies/yemen- emergency#:~:text=Despite%20ongoing%20humanitarian%20assist ance%2C%2016.2,(16%2C500%20to%2047%2C000%20people). 16. “Yemen Remains 'Worst Humanitarian Crisis': UN Office.” Anadolu Ajansı, www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen- remains-worst-humanitarian-crisis-un-office/2106553. 17. “Yemen Teeters on the Brink as Conflict and Economic Crises Grind on: World Food Programme.” UN World Food Programme, www.wfp.org/news/yemen-teeters-brink-conflict-and-economic- crises- grind#:~:text=Yemen%20teeters%20on%20the%20brink%20as%20 conflict%20and%20economic%20crises%20grind%20on,- Photo%3A%20WFP%2FMohammed&text=Conflict%20has%20escal ated%20across%20more,to%20its%20pre%2Dwar%20value. 18. “Yemen: A Brief Background.” Unfoundation.org, unfoundation.org/what-we-do/issues/peace-human-rights-and- humanitarian-response/yemen-a-brief-background/.