PAMUN XV SECURITY COUNCIL QUESTION OF THE SITUATION IN YEMEN Introduction of Topic The Republic of Yemen is an Arab country located in Southwest Asia in the Arabian Peninsula. It is the second largest country in the peninsula occupying 527,970 km 2. The country s motto is which when translated means God, Country, Revolution, Unity. However, as a االث ووررةة االوو حددةة االللهھ االوو طط نن consequence of the Civil War, this no longer fully applies. The Yemeni Civil War is an ongoing crisis that began on 19th March 2015. The fight is mainly between forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and those allied to Zaidi Shia rebels,known as Houthis, who are believed to support former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have also been involved in the war and have carried out attacks. The ongoing war has lasted 6 months, in which time much has taken place. Yemen is divided into 21 muhafazah or governorates. On 25th March 2015, 3 governorates were under Houthi control. The situation worsened after this and President Hadi was forced to flee the country. Another pressing issue facing the country is the issue of the refugees and the massive humanitarian crisis. 61% of the population or 16 million people require some form of humanitarian assistance. 12.9 million people are considered to be food insecure, and more than 1.4 million people have been displaced. 20.4 million individuals lack access to clean, drinking water; 15.2 million do not have access to basic healthcare. And in the past year, there has been a great increase in communicable diseases. Furthermore, there is growing tension between the North and South of Yemen due to historical reasons. The issue of the Yemeni Civil War is multidimensional, as it deals with issues ranging from issue of terrorist groups, refugees, drastic political developments and a continuing humanitarian crisis of great magnitude. All of the issues of cumulated and resulted in the 2015 Civil War. This is one of the most severe crises Yemen has faced. Definition of Key Terms Houthi Also known as the Ansar Allah or the Supporters of God, Houthis are a Zaidi Shia group in northern Yemen. They have consistently been in conflict against the Yemeni government. Research Report Page 1 of 8
Shia Islam Shia Islam is a branch of Islam which holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad's proper successor as Caliph was his son-in-law and cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib. Shia Islam clashes with Sunni Islam, however, the issue has now transformed into a political conflict, rather than a religious one. Shia Islam is the second largest denomination of Islam, with the majority of the population found in Iran (89%). As well as in Iraq, Pakistan and India. Shia s constitute 10-13% of the world s Muslim population and but they make up the majority of the radical, violent element of Islam. Zaidiyyah Zaidiyyah, which is a sect whose main belief (like all Muslims) is that "There is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger." Zaidiyyah emerged out of Shia Islam. Sunni Islam Sunni Islam, sometimes referred to as the orthodox Islam, is a branch of Islam which holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad's proper successor as Caliph was his father-in-law Abu Bakr. The Sunnis have six imans 1 which include: there is only one God, the existence of the angels of God, and that one must follow the prophets of God. Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam and constitutes 87-90% of the Muslim population. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Also known as the Ansar al-sharia in Yemen, the al-qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Islamic terrorist organisation which is primarily active in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, which is a subordinate of al-qaeda. It is one of the most active branches of al-qaeda and is believed to be the most dangerous branch. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is an extremist terrorist organisation, which is a selfproclaimed Islamic State. It is mainly composed of Sunni Arabs from Iraq and Syria. Saudi-led Coalition Saudi Arabia, along with nine addition Arab countries, created Operative Decisive Storm. This carried out airstrikes and naval and aerial blockades to assist the Hadi government. 1 Iman in Islamic theology denotes a believer's faith in the metaphysical aspects of Islam. Page 2 of 8 Research Report
Background Information September 21 Revolution The September 21 Revolution, or the Houthi takeover of Yemen lasted 4 months, 2 weeks and 2 days from 21st September 2014 to 6th February 2015. A group of Zaidiyyah fights led by Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-houthi, pushed the Yemeni government from power. On 21 September 2014, the attacks escalated with the resignation of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and his ministers on 22 January 2015 after Houthi forces seized the presidential palace and key military installations, and culminated in the dissolution of the parliament and the formation of a ruling council by Houthi militants on 6 February 2015. After taking over government headquarters in the capital of Sanaa, fighting continued, with over 340 dead in the city. Consequently, the Yemeni government was under immense pressure, and on November 7th 2014, Yemen announced a new government. However, the Houthis and the Generals People s Congress 2 refused to accept it. Terrorist Involvement In March 2015, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) made its first major attack. 4 suicide bombing attacks took place on 20th March in Sanaa, Yemen. The al-badr and al-hashoosh mosques came under suicide attack during midday prayers. With 142 dead and 351 gravely wounded, this attack was one of the deadliest attack in Yemen s history. The targeted mosques are linked to the Houthis, a group of the Zaidiyyah sect of Shia Islam. The Houthis deposed of the government in Yemen in the beginning of 2015, after they took over the capital in the North of Yemen - Sanaa. In addition, there have been several pro-isis groups emerging in Yemen since the attacks. Currently, there are seven known wilayats 3 in ten Yemeni provinces: Sa ada, Sana a, al Jawf, al Bayda, Taiz, Ibb, Lahij, Aden, Shabwah, and Hadramawt. The pro-isis groups are targeting the Zaydi Shi a al Houthis. Allegations of External Support The United States and Saudi Arabia have alleged that the Houthi militia have received weapons, money and training from Iran. This allegation was created because Iran follows Shia Islam. Eritrea has also been indicted for supplying Iranian weapons to the Houthis, and providing health and medical care. However, both Iran and Eritrea have stated that there is no ground to these allegations and have vehemently denied these accusations. It has been stated that Iran was majorly involved in the takeover of Sanaa. The Yemeni government has received significant backing from Gulf countries and the United States. Drone strikes were carried out regularly during Mr. Hadi's presidency. Saudi Arabia and the United States have also provided weapons to the Yemeni government. 2 A political party in Yemen, seeking Arab unity. 3 A province or a district. Research Report Page 3 of 8
Calls for a ceasefire China, Russia, and the International Committee of Red Cross called for a 24 hours ceasefire on April 4th. Pakistan, despite wanting to stay neutral on the issue, called for a ceasefire to help negotiate a diplomatic solution, alongside Turkey. Australia called for a ceasefire due to number of casualties and the appalling humanitarian crisis in the country. On 16 April 2015, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon requested an immediate ceasefire in Yemen and that the war be terminated The Saudi-led coalition called for a five-day ceasefire in Yemen in July of 2015. This coalition has internationalized the issue as they have drawn support from various neighboring countries; this point is thoroughly explained in the next section. Major Countries and Organizations Involved The Saudi Arabian-led coalition in Yemen has begun to influence the outcome of the Civil War through gathering international support. Saudi Arabia leads the coalition along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal and Sudan, which is in support of the Hadi government and has been carrying out airstrikes and imposing blockades in surrounding countries. The United States has been in support and has proved intelligence and weapons as well as logistical backup to the Saudi led coalition. Somalia has additionally also been in support. Pakistan was called on by Saudi Arabia to join the coalition but Pakistan decided to remain neutral on the issue and, is not part of the coalition. In opposition to this, are the Houthis who formed the Supreme Revolutionary Committee. This is a body supported by North Korea, Iran and Eritrea. On 14th April 2015, the Security Council passed resolution 2216 which established an arms embargo on the Houthis and all those loyal to former President Saleh. The resolution also asked the Houthis to give up Sanaa. The Houthis heavily condemned this resolution and began mass protests. Timeline of Events Date Event September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 January 2015 Houthi Rebels take control over the capital city - Sanaa. Houthi rebels capture the strategic Red Sea city of Hodeida. Yemen announces a new government Houthis seize state TV and clash with troops in the capital, in what the Page 4 of 8 Research Report
government calls a coup attempt. January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 March 2015 May 2015 June 2015 President Hadi resigns President Hadi fled the Sanaa to Aden and the Houthis take charge of the government ISIS carries out its first major attack on Yemen. The Houthi Rebels had taken over three governorates of Yemen and reached Aden, the seat of Hadi s government. Consequently, Hadi fled the country. 400 civilians died in Aden. Leader of Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula, Nasser al-wuhayshi, killed in US drone strike in Yemen. Main Issues The Aftermath of the September 21 Attacks The aftermath of the Houthi takeover in Yemen led to Sanaa being captured by the Rebel Forces and the dissolution of the parliament. Consequently, civil war broke out and the Saudi-led coalition was formed to function against the Rebel Forces of the Houthis. After seizing the capital, the Houthis have obtained resignations from President Hadi, Prime Minister Bahah and in January 2015, decided to dissolve the parliament. This was to instate the Revolutionary Committee to govern Yemen. The Houthis faced widespread opposition for this. On 21st February 2015, President Saleh was confined to his residence in Sanaa by the Houthis. However, President Hadi fled the Aden (the capital of the South) and declared that he was still the constitutional President of the country. The Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes after this event. The international response was extremely negative. The Arab League, European Union, United States, United Nations all criticized the coup. In February 2015, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution which strongly deplored the Houthis actions to dissolve the parliament. The resolution urged the acceleration of negotiations to reach a consensus solution regarding the political impasse. 4 4 http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/un- documents/yemen/ Research Report Page 5 of 8
The Humanitarian Crisis The humanitarian situation in Yemen is catastrophic. Over 10 million Yemenis are deprived of basic necessities such as food, water and electricity. 850 thousand children are half starved. Almost 45 hundred people have been killed and 23 thousand have been severely wounded. Before Match 2015, two thirds of the youth were unemployed and over half were below the poverty line. BBC stated that 4 out of 5 Yemeni require immediate aid. UNICEF has claimed that roughly 8 children are being killed and maimed every day. In addition, there is the issue of the numerous refugees. On 16 April 2015, 2,695 refugees of 48 nationalities were reported to have fled to Oman from Yemen in the past two weeks. Some refugees have also fled to Somalia and Djibouti. Thousands continue to flee to the Horn of Africa. Consequently, one comes to the obvious conclusion that Yemen is facing a disastrous humanitarian crisis. Several organisations have been aiding those who need help, however a lack of funding remains to be a pressing issue. Military Intervention and Air Strikes The US, UK, Turkey, Egypt, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, have come out in support in the Yemeni government. A coalition led by Saudi Arabia (code-named Operative Decisive Storm) responded to a request made by President Hadi and is targeting Houthis through airstrikes as well as aerial and naval blockades. The airstrikes have additionally also been attacking Yemen s military as it has been split. Several military units are still loyal to former President Saleh, and thus, it being targetted by the coalition. President Hadi has lost of his support and this immense instability within the country has led to al-qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS regaining control over several parts of the country. Since the airstrikes have begun al-qaeda has taken over the city of Mukalla in Yemen. Fighter jets from the Arab States such as Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, have also taken part of Operation Decisive Storm. Somalia has made its airspace territorial waters and military bases available to the coalition. The United States has been suspected to carry out drone strikes. North and South Yemen Historically, there has always been tension between the North and South. Before 1990, North and South Yemen used to be separate countries. There has always been a sense from the Southerns that the North has been exploiting the South, through a monopoly of government jobs and army positions. This is combined with the fact that the North has been accused of exploiting the South s oil resources for their personal benefit. AQAP AND ISIS Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula is seen to be one of the dangerous military Islamic organisations. They have had a large influence in Yemen over the past years. By December, ISIS had developed a great impact in Yemen. The Shia Houthis are primary enemies of ISIS. ISIS has, additionally, carried out Page 6 of 8 Research Report
several suicide bombs within the country. AQAP has been vastly involved with the Yemeni Civil War as it has been controlling large territories in the hinterlands and along the coast. Possible Solutions The issue of the Civil War in Yemen is highly dynamic. The dismal state in Yemen is the product of numerous issues such as the tensions between the North and the South, the religious differences between the Shias and the Sunnis and the involvement of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS. Therefore, if progress is to be made, the North and South must come an agreement to share power. No country can function if it is divided and is in essence, "broken". No country can aim to end a war if there is such a large disparity. Therefore, the North and South must talk to ensure that there is a fully inclusive agreement. Both parts of the country should aim to work in conjunction together. The United Nations, acting as an honest broker, should facilitate and participate in such peace meetings and talks between the North and South of the country so that the two might reach a negotiated, political settlement. Secondly, the issue should not be politically overly internationalized, as it would evidently aggravate the situation. External countries should remain unbiased, and should not force any solutions. Lasting solutions are usually always internally owned. The external role players should, however, be strongly encouraged to provide humanitarian aid which is the crying need of the hour, and thus make a positive impact to the ground situation. But being a Civil War which could potentially have a global impact due to its unique dynamics, this is an issue which requires first and foremost for the Yemenis to coordinate and cooperate internally amongst themselves. Resources to Consider http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423 A breakdown/summary of the entire issue between the rebel Houthis and the government in Yemen. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14704951 A timeline of the events taken place in Yemen. This provides useful background to the issue. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/24/us-yemen-security-iduskcn0ro0eh20150924 A link from Reuters of an ISIS suicide bomber who attacked a Houthi mosque. http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/un-documents/yemen/ The Security Council website of all the documents and resolutions passed for Yemen. Research Report Page 7 of 8
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2015/03/timeline-yemen-houthis- 150326163406556.html A comprehensive, interactive timeline of all the events taken place in Yemen. http://www.criticalthreats.org/yemen/koontz-desknote-growing-threat-isis-in-yemen-may-6-2015 An article about the role of ISIS in Yemen and it s growing threats. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34011187 An extensive report of the major humanitarian crisis faced in Yemen. https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/madeleine-rees/military-intervention-in-yemeninternational-system-in-crisis A comprehensive report of the international military intervention in Yemen. Page 8 of 8 Research Report