Yemen's Conflict: A Timeline from Houthi Rise to Regional Crisis

The conflict in Yemen traces its origins to December 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah, captured the capital Sanaa and surrounding territories in the country's north. The militant group, which had long challenged Yemen's central authority, seized control following widespread grievances over political marginalization and economic hardship affecting the Zaidi Shiite population.

The escalation intensified dramatically in March 2015 when Saudi Arabia and a coalition of Gulf states launched an extensive air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi advances and restoring the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The intervention transformed Yemen's internal power struggle into a proxy conflict with significant regional implications, drawing in various militias, tribal forces, and extremist groups competing for influence across the fractured nation.

Years of sustained military operations have produced catastrophic humanitarian consequences. The conflict has destroyed critical infrastructure, displaced millions of civilians, and created severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical services. Yemen's health system has largely collapsed, while the economy has contracted dramatically, leaving the majority of the population dependent on humanitarian aid for survival.

More recent developments have seen periodic escalations in violence, including Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as periodic ceasefire attempts mediated by the United Nations. Despite international diplomatic efforts, a comprehensive political settlement remains elusive, with multiple armed factions continuing to vie for territorial control and influence throughout the country.