How Yemen factors into wider conflict in the Middle East

Yemen has become entangled in a broader Middle East conflict, as Yemeni forces launched a military operation against Iran-backed Huthi militants on Saturday. The Yemeni government condemned the Huthis for dragging the country into regional conflicts that align with foreign agendas, particularly those of Iran.

The Huthi rebels have been a persistent thorn in the side of Saudi Arabia, striking commercial shipping routes and intensifying attacks on Saudi soil. In response, Saudi Arabia has recently forged a defense pact with Pakistan and Turkey, aimed at strengthening their mutual defense capabilities.

The Yemeni conflict has been ongoing for over a decade, primarily pitting the Huthis against a Saudi-led coalition that backs the internationally recognized government. Following the Arab Spring in 2011, the Huthis seized a northern province and later captured the capital, Sanaa, a stronghold they still maintain, along with a significant portion of Yemen's Red Sea coastline.

The group has aligned itself with Iran's "Axis of Resistance," a coalition of allied militant groups across the region. This alignment has provided the Huthis with weapons and technology, further solidifying their position. For seven years, Saudi Arabia attempted to dislodge the Huthis from northern Yemen but was unsuccessful, leading to a prolonged conflict that has resulted in one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.

Experts now warn that the Huthi rebels see an opportunity to recoup some of their losses from the Iran war, which may exacerbate the risk of a wider regional conflict engulfing the Middle East.