Yemen's power dynamics heighten Red Sea tensions

By Mehmet Nuri Ucar

ISTANBUL (AA) - Houthi attacks in the Red Sea which have sparked tensions with the West are a spill-over effect of the nearly decade-old conflict between Saudi-led government forces in Yemen and the Iran-backed group.

Top shipping companies have decided to put off their voyages in the Red Sea as the Hothis ramp up attacks on commercial vessels in response to Israel's onslaught in Gaza.

On Dec. 6, 2023, the Pentagon reported discussions for the establishment of an international maritime task force to counter Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. On Dec.18, a multinational mission named Operation Prosperity Guardian was announced.

Houthi attacks endanger the passage through the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and provides the shortest route between Europe and Asia, where approximately 12% of global trade is conducted.

- Yemen divided into three zones of influence after a decade of civil war

Ongoing tensions in the Red Sea have not substantially altered the influence of conflicting parties in Yemen.

Yemen remains divided into three zones of influence, the legitimate government supported by Saudi Arabia, the Houthis backed by Iran, and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since the military intervention by the Saudi-led Arab coalition in March 2015 following the Houthi's seizure of the capital Sanaa.

Despite the support of the Saudi-led coalition forces, the Yemeni government has failed to establish control over the entire country in the nine years that have transpired.

Yemen, a stage for conflicts between factions for years, has been fragmented and devastated due to the consequences of the ongoing civil war.

Although a six-month cease-fire was brokered by the UN between April 2 and Oct. 2, 2022, hostilities resumed between the Yemeni government and the Houthis once the cease-fire concluded.

One of the hot conflict zones in Yemen is the strategic port city of Al Hudaydah and the oil and gas-rich Marib.

Coalition forces' attempts to recapture Al Hudaydah, which has been under Houthi control for over nine years, have not yielded results.

While government forces maintain control over certain districts and areas connected to Al Hudaydah, the city center and strategic ports are still held by the Houthis.

Apart from occasional attacks by the Houthis in the rural areas of Marib resulting in some gains, they have not made significant progress in strategic and vital points.

- Areas controlled by Yemeni Government with Arab coalition support

Internationally recognized, the Yemeni government holds control over the eastern Hadhramaut, covering more than a third of the country's landmass.

Al Mukalla, the country's second-largest city in terms of land, is also under the control of the Yemeni government.

- Government-held areas with partial control

Some cities in the country are divided in terms of influence. The government controls parts of certain provinces, while the remaining parts are under Houthi control.

Government forces have established control over the majority of the oil and gas-rich Marib province. Marib's provincial center, which has become one of the country's most densely populated cities in recent years, is also under government control.

According to government reports, Marib hosts over two million displaced individuals, roughly half of the country's total displaced population of around 4.5 million.

Despite Houthi attempts to capture Marib, notably in February 2021, the stronghold of the government and the main headquarters of the Defense Ministry, Houthi attacks have shown a decrease in the last two years.

The government also holds a significant portion of the city of Taiz, which is home to 60% of the population. However, the Houthis have the edge of controlling the east of Taizz, where private-sector factories are located, holding 70% of the city's total revenues.

- Areas under Houthi control

Houthis control several cities in the northern part of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

Sanaa, hosting major state institutions, the telecommunications sector, and numerous companies and factories that generate substantial income for the Houthis, is the most significant city in the country.

Outside Sanaa, Dhamar, Al Bayda', Ibb, Raymah, and Amran are entirely under Houthi control.

- Cities predominantly held by Houthis

Al Hudaydah's coastal region in the west of the country is under Houthi control. The strategic port city, home to one of Yemen's most crucial ports, hosts 70% of the country's external aid and income.

Houthis also control Al Jawf, which shares a land border with Saudi Arabia. However, government forces maintain a presence in a small area in Al Jawf.

- Regions controlled by UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC)

The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) controls the entire city of Aden, declared the temporary capital by the legitimate government after Sanaa.

After securing the entire province in 2019, Aden became the second most crucial city in the country, following Sanaa, known for its economic and trade activities before the war.

Socotra, facing the Indian Ocean, and Shabwah, with significant oil resources, are also under STC control.

The control of the city of Abyan is shared between the STC and government forces. The STC holds political and military power in Lahij and Ad Dali, in the south of the country.

- Humanitarian crisis in Yemen

For nearly a decade, Yemen has been witnessing severe conflicts between Iran-backed Houthis and government forces supported by the Saudi-led coalition. With increasing poverty, famine and malnutrition are widespread.

The prolonged conflict in Yemen has claimed the lives of approximately 377,000 people over the years.

Yemen, ranked among the world's poorest countries, is experiencing a growing humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing civil war.