Yemen is currently experiencing political instability and conflict. The Houthis seized control of the capital Sana'a in 2014 and dissolved parliament in 2015, led by their leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula operates in Yemen and has pledged allegiance to ISIS, carrying out terrorist attacks. The conflicts involve domestic political power struggles as well as foreign influence, with Iran backing the Houthis and Saudi Arabia conducting airstrikes against them near the border. The geopolitical significance of Yemen for trade routes and regional influence has internationalized the conflicts.

1. Yemen

2. Content Overview
1. Country Profile
2. Political Situation
3. Domestic and Foreign Politics
4. Current Security Situation

3. Demographics
● Mainly Arab (When the former states of North and South Yemen were established, most resident
minority groups departed.)
●Yemen is still a largely tribal society. (eg: In the northern, mountainous parts of the country, there
are some 400 Zaidi tribes)
Geographic Location
● Borders Saudi Arabia and Oman
Ruler
•Mohammed Ali al-Houthi (seized power)
Country Profile

4. Framework
●Follows the a bicameral legislature – meaning two house legislature
Under the constitution, an elected president, an elected 301-seat House of Representatives, and
an appointed 111-member Shura Council share power.
The president is head of state, and the prime minister is head of government. The constitution
provides that the president be elected by popular vote from at least two candidates endorsed by
Parliament; the prime minister is appointed by the president. The presidential term of office is 7
years, and the parliamentary term of elected office is 6 years
Current Positions:
● Mohammed Ali al-Houthi
Political System

5. Power Vacuum
•The Houthis took control of Sana'a in Sep 14 but had agreed to withdraw when new national
unity government has been formed.
•This prompted Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur and his ministers to resign
•The Houthis declared full control of the government in 6 Feb
•They dissolved the parliament and put in a revolutionary committee led by Mohammed Ali al-
houthi in charge
Despite earlier agreements to withdraw after a new unity government is formed, the Houthis
rejected the draft of new constitution proposed by the government
➢Seized State TV
➢Clashed with troops in Sana'a
➢Border incursions into Saudi Arabia
Domestic and Foreign Politics

6. Power Vacuum
•Following the chaos, the AQAP briefly seized territory in south Yemen, continuing its campaign
against the Houthis
•Uses current unrest as an opportunity to expand in Yemen's southern and eastern
governorates
•Carried out attack on Yemeni military and Houthi targets
Domestic and Foreign Politics

7. •Became a major base for Islamic militants in Yemen after their training bases in
Afghanistan and Pakistan closed down
•Established several stronghold in Abyan province after anti-government uprising in 2011
•Battled within the government forces for control of several towns in the south
•Pledged allegiance to ISIS in early Feb 15.
•Behind the following attacks:
•failed attack on US airliner on Christmas 2009
•2010 cargo plane bomb plot in 2010
•suicide attack on military personnel in 2012
•Attack on Yemeni Defense Ministry in Sana'a (5th Dec 2013)
•Charlie Hebdo killings
•Also announced a strategy (Operation Haemorrhage) that would call for large number of
inexpensive, small scale attacks against US to weaken their economy
Al- Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

8. Vested interests - adopts geopolitical strategy to control international
trade through the Mandab Strait and Suez Canal, access to African raw
materials, and most specifically, block the expansion of Chinese
economic influence in both the Middle East and Africa.
Comparisons made between Syria
Change of governments did not occur for Syria and Yemen, despite
Calls for reforms. However, Yemen has pro-democracy opposition that
took to the streets in hopes of forcing reforms
US interest in region

9. Conflict with Iran
Iran already has a military presence on the Strait of Hormuz, another vital energy
shipping lane, and the strategic implications of an Iranian-backed militia gaining control
of Bab Al Mandeb – Note that the Houthis are majority Shiite too
Saudi Arabian Pressure
•Despite often intervening politically into Yemen’s political situation, Saudi Arabia
stopped after the Houthis overthrew the government, instead engaging in airstrikes over
Houthi held positions near the border.
•With a population that is 35 percent Shia, Yemen could serve as a potentially friendly
base of operations in Iran's rivalry against Saudi Arabia. For Iran, easier access to Yemen
means easier access to Saudi Arabia – and both countries are making political maneuvers
of their own to secure the region. The US inevitably finds itself pulled into the mix.
US interest in region

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