The war in Yemen, which began in 2014, has become a conflict of devastating proportions with repercussions not only at the local level but also in the regional and international spheres. For Saudi Arabia, this conflict is not merely a civil struggle; it is an existential war that affects its national security, influence in the region, and the balance of power in the Middle East.

Access this article in Spanish: Yemen, la guerra existencial de Arabia Saudí.

Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen presents itself as a strategic necessity. The collapse of the Yemeni government and the rise of the Houthis, a rebel group with Zaidi roots, provided Riyadh with the justification to intervene militarily in 2015. Saudi Arabia fears that the expansion of the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, could alter the balance of power in the region and establish an increase in Iranian influence along its southern border, already flanked by pro-Iranian positions in the Saudi-Iraqi region. Therefore, the war in Yemen has become a crucial front in the broader struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran, where each country seeks to reaffirm its leadership both on the Arabian Peninsula and in the Islamic world.

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have consolidated as a powerful militia and a political force in Yemen. Their relationship with Iran places them in a resistance axis that challenges Saudi influence. Through the supply of arms, training, and logistical support from Iran, the Houthis have been able to sustain their military and political campaign in the country, thereby challenging Saudi Arabia and its regional allies. This support has evolved to create an asymmetric conflict, where the Houthis employ guerrilla tactics and unconventional warfare to combat a superior enemy in military power.

However, this is not only a Saudi problem; the Bab el Mandeb Strait is a vital strategic point that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and the piracy acts by Ansarullah have severely impacted international trade. Its importance lies in being one of the most heavily trafficked maritime routes in the world, where a significant portion of global trade and European and Asian oil passes through. Control of this strait not only affects the global economy but also has direct security implications for Saudi Arabia, which views Houthi expansion as a threat to critical access to this artery.

The Connection with Somalia

The war in Yemen also has geographical and strategic links to Somalia. Instability in Yemen has reinforced the presence of armed groups in the region and has fostered arms and human trafficking in the Horn of Africa. In turn, Yemen has served as a refuge for members of Al-Shabaab, who operate in both Somalia and Yemen, highlighting the interconnected nature of the conflicts in the area. Ethiopia, a neighbor to Somalia, has maintained its interest in the situation in Yemen, seeking to counter the influence of the Houthis and ensure that the Horn of Africa remains free of extremism associated with the instability in Yemen.

Ethiopia, with its own strategic agenda, has shown interest in Yemen. From Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian government indirectly supports Saudi allies and evaluates the implications of a destabilized Yemen. Ethiopia is concerned about the potential for violence in Yemen to spill over into the Horn of Africa and further destabilize its own region, which already faces significant challenges related to extremist groups. Through its participation in regional and international dialogue over the situation in Yemen, Ethiopia seeks to reinforce its position and prevent the proliferation of conflicts that could threaten its security and stability.

The war in Yemen is a multifaceted conflict that reflects the struggle for regional influence between Saudi Arabia and Iran, while the Houthis have become a key player in this contest. The geostrategy of the Bab el Mandeb Strait adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation, affecting not only Yemen but also a wide region that includes Somalia and Ethiopia. As the war continues, the interconnection of the interests of the involved actors becomes increasingly clear.

Therefore, Saudi Arabia, with its military coalition, has not intervened in Yemen out of selfish motives but to defend its own borders from aggression by Iran through its proxies in the country. Saudi Arabia is simply defending itself and all the region. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Sources

International Crisis Group. Yemen’s War: A Conversation with the Region’s Stakeholders. This report analyzes the conflict in Yemen, the role of the Houthis, the Saudi intervention, and the regional implications.

United Nations Security Council. Report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen. This report provides information on the situation of the conflict, the involved actors, and the implications for regional security.

Sanaa Centre for Strategic Studies. The Geopolitics of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This study explores the geostrategic importance of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the interests of various nations in the region, including Saudi Arabia.

Al Jazeera. «Yemen: The struggle for the Bab al-Mandab Strait.» This article details the violence in Yemen and the military struggles surrounding the strategic strait, as well as foreign interventions.

Middle East Eye. «The Yemen War: Where do the Houthi rebels fit in the fight?» This article investigates the role of the Houthis in the conflict and their relationship with Iran, as well as with other regional actors.

Foreign Policy. «How the War in Yemen Became a Proxy Fight Between Saudi Arabia and Iran.» This article analyzes the conflict as a confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the impact this has had on the situation in Yemen.