US, UK launch new round of airstrikes on Yemen

1. UK and US

Another chapter in a protracted and terrible struggle has begun with the recent airstrikes carried out in Yemen by the United States and the United Kingdom. With millions of civilians caught in the crossfire, Yemen’s civil conflict, which has been going on since 2014, has resulted in a serious humanitarian disaster. International human rights organizations are alarmed by the recent surge of airstrikes, fearing more instability and misery for Yemen’s people. A fresh round of airstrikes on Yemen is launched by the US and UK.

2. Overview of the Yemen Conflict

An domestic political conflict at first, the Yemeni civil war swiftly turned into a convoluted proxy conflict involving both regional and foreign interests. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, which is backed by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and further supported by the US and UK, is opposed by the Houthi rebel organization, which is backed by Iran. In addition to destroying Yemen’s infrastructure, the battle has caused severe food, water, and medical supply shortages, plunging millions of people into abject poverty.

3. New Airstrikes

The most recent US and UK airstrikes are a part of a larger campaign to erode Houthi insurgent positions in Yemen. Military reports claim that the goal of these attacks is to weaken the rebels’ military might and interfere with their supply lines. Critics counter that these measures run the risk of worsening Yemen’s humanitarian situation, putting civilians in even greater danger, and possibly driving more people into hunger.

4. Humanitarian Impact

The civilian population of Yemen mainly affected by these airstrikes. Yemen is on the verge of catastrophic famine and is already dealing with the worst humanitarian disaster in the world; ongoing bombings will only worsen the destruction. Many civilians forced to leave their houses in search of protection, according to reports from the ground.

a. Important Humanitarian Issues

Increased Displacement: As a result of the recent airstrikes, more people internally displaced (IDPs) as civilians are fleeing combat areas. Yemen’s rate of displacement is already among the highest in the world.