Crisis in Yemen shaped by unique religious and political factors
How did Yemen arrive at this point?
Media coverage of the conflict in Yemen has often described it as a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Or sometimes it’s called a Sunni-Shi’a conflict that’s primarily religious in nature, and therefore intractable.
What’s agreed upon is that both warring parties have impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid and committed human rights violations. A blockade by a Saudi-led coalition with U.S. support has tightened in the past year, preventing delivery of fuel, food, and medicine to ports of entry in the country.
Since the conflict began in 2015, at least 10,000 people have died. A new estimate by Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, cited by the Independent, places the death toll at more than 50,000. The conflict has also dealt a blow to the economy, harming infrastructure and limiting options for transporting goods.
