Yemen at risk of getting dragged back into war

Key Points:

• A truce that ended nearly a decade of war in Yemen has mostly held since 2022 but faced a serious test recently due to renewed tensions linked to the Iran war, highlighted by missile and drone attacks by Houthis on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport.
• The latest confrontation began when Saudi Arabia attacked Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from landing, escalating tensions as the Houthis responded with retaliatory strikes.
• The conflict reflects deeper issues, including the Houthis' challenge to Saudi-led coalition control over Yemen’s airspace and attempts to break the blockade imposed since 2015, signaling potential shifts in power dynamics.
• Analysts warn that Yemen’s fragile security and economic conditions, combined with regional rivalries, create a volatile environment that could lead to renewed conflict and draw Yemen further into the broader Iran-related regional conflict.
• The Houthis’ history of missile attacks against Israel and disruptions in the Red Sea underscores the risk that Yemen’s instability could have wider implications for regional security and international trade.