A century of conflict in Yemen: timeline reads more like political than sectarian cleavage

ABC News article Timeline: A century of conflict in Yemen outlines the history of a country “embroiled in conflict” for close to one hundred years. Since the decline of the Ottoman Empire, Yemen is portrayed as a country divided between north and south, plagued by uprisings and civil war in the name of anti-feudalism, anti-colonialism, separatism and various other ideologies. A history of Al Qaeda attacks in the country add to the sense of turmoil expressed throughout the timeline. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is particularly volatile, because of its technical expertise and global reach. On top of this environment is the emergence of a Yemeni affiliate of ISIS that seeks to eclipse AQAP.

That today’s conflict is one between Shia (Zaidi) Houthi rebels and the besieged Sunni backed Yemeni government is to oversimplify the situation.

Iran specialist, Fatima Alsmadi, from the Al Jazeera Studies Centre made clear that the conflict in Yemen is political, not sectarian. Interviewed by Al Jazeera she stated:

“Some Saudi media outlets tend to portray the conflict in sectarian terms, i.e. Sunni vs Shia, in order to gain support from the predominantly Sunni Arab population, and to lend legitimacy to its actions. The conflict essentially remains a political one for power and influence in the region between Iran and Saudi Arabia (and its Arab and western allies).”

That this is not a sectarian, ethnic, or racially driven conflict is clear in analysing the complex web of actors involved: the Houthis, fighting for control of the Yemeni government; the ousted Yemeni Government, with split military alignments between ousted President Hadi and his predecessor Saleh (who now supports the Houthis); AQAP, whose existence in Yemen precipitated a history of US Special Forces involvement in the country; Saudi Arabia/Arab military coalition, backing Hadi; Iran, backing Houthis; ISIS, who seek to overthrow rival AQAP; and the USA, supporting the Saudi coalition.

If it is clear that this is not a sectarian conflict, then why would Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, be concerned that it could help trigger a wider sectarian war in the region? Perhaps it is easier to call a complex and volatile situation ‘sectarian’ than it is to call it a problem of representation and legitimacy.

Rather than an intractable religious conflict, or a ‘clash of civilizations’, conflict in Yemen is symptomatic of a wider political problem; being one of unequal access to power and resources. This is the underlying factor to Yemen’s timeline of conflict: a timeline of unequal access to power and resources.

PHOTO: Rubble left in the wake of Saudi-led air strikes against Houthi rebels in the southern port city Aden. (Reuters: Khaled Abdullah)