Yemen Conflict Escalates as Houthi Rebels Launch Offensive Against Government Forces

Yemen's civil war has intensified after the Houthi rebel group launched an offensive against Saudi Arabian-backed government forces. The conflict, which began in 2015, has already caused tens of thousands of deaths and a crippling humanitarian crisis.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have demonstrated their military capabilities with attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, targeting oil installations and vital infrastructure. They have also shown resilience, defying over 10 years of bombing by the Saudi-led coalition and US/UK strikes.

Saudi Arabia entered the conflict in 2015 to restore the government of then-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. However, a China-brokered rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023 has marked a shift towards a more practical relationship.