Yemen Crisis

Yet another Arab nation faces a humanitarian crisis as the localised war in Yemen has snowballed into a regional crisis. After the deposed Yemeni president, Mansour Hadi  requested help, a coalition led by Sunni majority, Saudi Arabia , launched attack against Shia Houthi rebel positions in Yemen. The coalition comprises five Gulf Arab states and Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and Sudan. They allege that the Houthis are being funded by Iran. Iran, a Shia majority nation has condemned the Saudi-led intervention.

Historical Background:

Political crisis began in 2001. President Saleh tried to eliminate the term limit on the Presidential Post and was grooming his son to become his successor which did not go well with the people. Very similar to the events in the Arab spring. After he stepped down, powers were transferred to Mansour Hadi in an one-man election. But soon the Houthis rose and took over Sana'a and forced the Hadi to flee.

Who is fighting whom?

The main fight is between forces loyal to the beleaguered President, Mansour Hadi, and those allied to Shia Houthi rebels , who forced Mr Hadi to flee in February.

Yemen's security forces have split loyalties, with some units backing Mr Hadi, and others the Houthis and Mr Hadi's predecessor Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has remained politically influential.

Why is it a major concern?

• The conflict between the Houthis and the elected government is also seen as part of a regional power struggle between Shia-ruled Iran and Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, which shares a long border with Yemen.
• Yemen is strategically important because it sits on the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a narrow waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, through which much of the world's oil shipments pass. 
• Expansion of ISIS is a possibility.
• India has done well to airlift its nationals and in helping other nations in evacuation under the Operation Raahat. But normalcy needs to be restored for the peace and security of the region, which seems unlikely at the moment.