Yemen is spiralling into another civil war that could swiftly engulf in the entire region
Turkey and Pakistan are poised to send troops to Saudi Arabia, but so far the Trump administration has avoided getting involved.
Yemen is on the brink of descending into another civil war that could quickly spread to the entire region, according to recent reports. The escalating conflict between the Houthis and Yemen's internationally recognised government is being exacerbated by the involvement of two major regional powers, Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as the ongoing US-Israel confrontation.
Iran supports the Houthis, while Saudi Arabia backs the Yemeni government. The United States stands alongside Saudi Arabia, while Russia and China align with Iran. Other regional allies, Turkey and Pakistan, have agreed to deploy troops to defend Saudi Arabia if it is attacked again.
The conflict has already taken a heavy toll on the Yemeni people, with over 800 killed, 3,000 injured, and 158,000 displaced. The situation has been further complicated by the US-Iran stalemate and the US President Donald Trump's reluctance to become directly involved in the conflict. Trump has instead offered support from US intelligence and military analysts in Yemen, while urging Riyadh to carry out airstrikes on the Houthis.
The Houthis have made territorial gains in Yemen, gaining control of one-third of the country, including the capital Sanaa. They control the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial conduit for 20% of the world's daily supply of oil and liquefied natural gas. The Houthis' advance has raised concerns about a potential return to a major civil war and a dire humanitarian crisis for Yemenis.
Without direct US involvement, Riyadh has turned to its new security partners, Pakistan and Turkey, for assistance. However, these countries have been cautious about getting involved, fearing backlash from Iran and its strategic partners, Russia and China. The worsening conflict in Yemen could have dire consequences for the global economy, particularly if the Strait of Hormuz remains partially inoperable due to fears of ship attacks.
Disruptions in the global oil supply are expected to worsen, with the potential for higher petroleum prices and cost of living pressures for American consumers.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
