In the recent past, heavy fighting between Yemeni Al-Houthi and Government forces over control of the Red Sea coastal highlands and front-line cities has resulted in extensive loss of life, injury and record internal displacement. Various United Nations agencies have warned that the humanitarian situation in Yemen is deteriorating dramatically, that the health-care system is on the verge of collapse and that child malnutrition rates are rising dramatically. This conflict, which has lasted for many years, is entering a new, most dangerous phase.
According to numerous media reports, Al-Houthi forces are currently engaged in heavy fighting with Government forces in front cities in Yemen over strategic heights along the Red Sea coast. Yemeni government forces and support forces have tried to stop the advance of Al-Houthi, while the Al-Houthi side has continued its offensive. The main focus of the fighting is the Red Sea off the western part of Yemen, a zone of great military and economic significance — It is close to Yemen's most important port, Hodeidah, which has long been the main channel for international aid to Yemen.
Earlier, United States President Biden had ended the United States military involvement in the war in Yemen and had rescinded the decision of the Trump Government to classify Al-Houthi as a terrorist organization. Since then, however, the Houthi forces have launched a new military offensive, and the situation has not been eased by adjustments in United States policy.
The conflict has caused serious casualties. An air strike on a market in Taiz, Yemen, reportedly killed at least seven people and injured 40. The Al-Houthi health sector in Yemen attributed the attack to a Saudi-led coalition air strike. In addition, as many as 169 people have been killed in the conflict in the Red Sea highlands.
The Saudi side enjoyed the support of the League of Arab States and some Gulf States. Saudi top religious leaders have publicly stated that it is a religious duty to combat the Al-Houthi armed forces. The United Nations Security Council has also adopted statements affirming Saudi Arabia's right to self-defence and demanding that Al-Houthi forces cease their attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Data from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that the recent escalation of the conflict has led to the displacement of some 112,000 people inside Yemen and tens of thousands more have fled to Djibouti. The United Nations warns that the number of displaced persons will continue to rise as the fighting expands. The United Nations Children ' s Fund (UNICEF) noted that fighting in Yemen had severely disrupted health services and that acute malnutrition rates among children had risen significantly.
The Yemeni Minister of Health warned of the possibility of a total collapse of the medical system in some areas. For years, Yemen has suffered the largest humanitarian crisis in the world - • The cholera epidemic, described by the World Health Organization as the world's worst cholera outbreak, has left millions of people suffering from hunger and lack of basic health care.
The civil war in Yemen has lasted for more than seven years and the warring parties include Iran-backed Al-Houthi forces, internationally recognized Yemeni government forces, Saudi Arabian-led coalition forces and separatist forces in the south. The Saudi-led coalition forces received United States weapons and tactical assistance during the war.
The United Nations Security Council had recently reaffirmed the right of Saudi Arabia to self-defence and had called for an end to attacks against civilians. The Saudi side has diplomatic support from the Arab Gulf States.
At present, the focus of the international community is on:
First, the operational status of the port of Hodeida. Access to Yemen as a lifeline for international aid will have a direct impact on the survival of millions of aid-dependent Yemenis if the port is prevented by the fighting.
Secondly, the resettlement of displaced persons and the opening of international aid corridors. United Nations agencies are urgently raising funds to respond to the growing needs of displaced populations and medical care.
Third, the safety of the Red Sea channel. The war in Yemen has had an impact on shipping in the Red Sea, and the international community is closely following the further spillover of the conflict into regional shipping routes.
Fourthly, the health system and the sustainability of food supplies in Yemen. In the context of the imminent collapse of the medical system, the ability of international organizations to replenish medicines, food and manpower in a timely manner will determine the survival of civilians in the coming weeks.
The situation in Yemen has evolved not only as a regional security issue, but also as a major test of the international humanitarian assistance system. The ability of the parties to find a political solution beyond military confrontation will determine whether the country can avoid a deeper humanitarian catastrophe.