The Yemen Conflict Between Saudi and the Houthis Essay

Tags: conflict international relations iran middle east military saudi arabia war yemen

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Middle East/ Africa Security Issue



Introduction



The ends, ways and means strategy is a method of understanding what the objective is for a particular issue (ends), how that objective will be achieved (ways) and what resources will be required to make this happen (means). This methodology is commonly applied in military or international relations, where the issues can be complex, as this method simplifies strategy by focusing on the desired ends (Eikmeier, 2007).



Background on the Issue



There are several issues in the Middle East worthy of attention, one of which is the ongoing conflict in Yemen. While Yemen has commonly been engaged in conflict, this issue has become more pressing in recent months. Houthi rebels were engaged in conflict in the region near the Saudi border, drawing Saudi Arabia into the conflict. This became a front in the Saudi-Iran proxy war, as the Houthi rebels are predominantly Shia. Western powers have traditionally backed Saudi Arabia in this conflict (BBC, 2018). In recent months, the conflict appears to have spiralled out of control, and may be contributing to a rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While they have been allies for much of this conflict, each is using the conflict as a means of extending influence and power in the region, but there are longstanding tensions at play in this conflict that have resulted in the lack of control, and the risk of greater regional destabilization (al-Mujahed & Raghavan, 2018). The UAE is backing Sunni rebels, while Saudi is not only fighting the Houthis but also supporting the Hadi government in conflict with the UAE-backed rebels (al-Mujahed & Raghavan, 2018).



Ends



The conflict in Yemen matters because it has drawn in other regional powers. In addition to Saudi, Iran has been drawn in, as part of its ongoing conflict with Saudi Arabia for regional dominance.

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The United Arab Emirates is reported to be involved, supporting a split of Yemen, using the conflict as a means to advance its power in the region (Al Jazeera, 2018). If the conflict is contained within Yemen, there are human costs, and risk associated with the security vacuum in that country. Should the conflict move beyond Yemen, then the region could be destabilized (BBC, 2018).



Bringing about a peaceful resolution to this conflict should be the end that the US seeks. There is no sweeping victory to be won here – the objective in Yemen should be to contain the risk of regional destabilization. In particular, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE need to be calmed, as both are strategically important allies in the war against terror and counterbalances to Iranian power in the Middle East.



Ways



To this point, the US, UK and France have lent their support to Saudi Arabia in this conflict, providing military equipment and logistical support to the Saudi efforts to combat the Houthi rebels (BBC, 2018). The aim of this support was to defeat the Houthis and restore stability to the northern part of Yemen, which had become destabilized by the conflict. At present, there is question about an extension of that support to more direct military support for the Saudis. The issue is complicated by the fact that the civilian toll of the conflict is increasing, and the Saudis are apparently responsible for much of that civilian death toll via airstrikes.

Defense Secretary James Mattis has argued that US military intervention will bring about a negotiated peace, which in turn will reduce civilian casualties. There are reports that the Saudis and Houthi rebels are in talks to bring about such a negotiated end to….....

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References

Al Jazeera (2018) Yemen's complicated war just got more complicated. Al Jazeera News. Retrieved March 18, 2018 from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/yemen-complicated-war-complicated-180129114613553.html

Al-Mujahed, A. & Raghavan, S. (2018) Yemen's war is so out of control, allies are turning on one another. Washington Post. Retrieved March 18, 2018 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/yemens-war-is-so-out-of-control-that-allies-are-turning-on-one-another/2018/02/03/50d26426-05fe-11e8-aa61-f3391373867e_story.html?utm_term=.f798b99400ac

BBC (2018) Yemen crisis: Who is fighting whom? BBC. Retrieved March 18, 2018 from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423

Eikmeier, D. (2007) A logical method for center-of-gravity analysis. Military Review. Retrieved March 18, 2018 from http://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/military-review/Archives/English/MilitaryReview_20071031_art009.pdf

RT (2018). US support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen will reduce civilian casualties, Mattis tells Senate. RT.com. Retrieved March 18, 2017 from https://www.rt.com/usa/421553-mattis-us-aid-saudi-yemen/

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