On Yemen's Desert Battlefield: A War with Global Consequences
In South-west Yemen, a journey through the desert in a pick-up truck with armed fighters revealed new sandbagged defenses—a testament to the ongoing clash. Pro-government commander Tawfiq Al Haboun described intense fighting against the Houthi rebels, who possess snipers, artillery, and ballistic missile launchers.
This conflict, set in the remote corners of the Middle East, has far-reaching implications. The entrenched civil war in Yemen is linked to a wider rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with missiles striking the international airport in Riyadh this weekend. The Houthis, who control strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, pose a significant threat to global shipping and provide leverage for their Iranian backers.
Al Haboun, from the Southern Forces, part of Yemen's internationally recognized government alliance, pointed to remnants of a downed Houthi drone carrying C4 explosives. Despite years of devastating Saudi-led air strikes, the Houthis still control about 500 fighters on high ground overlooking the vital maritime corridor. The pro-government forces have reclaimed approximately 85% of the area, according to Al Haboun, though the Houthis deny losses in other sectors.
The recent recapture of this territory is crucial for global oil supplies and prices as it was seized by the Houthis in September. Clashes continued after our visit, with reports of improvised explosive devices targeting military vehicles, causing unknown casualties.
As international energy markets jitter and Yemenis flee, the situation remains dire in the already impoverished nation.