Yemen

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Recently, the U.S. launched airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting Houthi bases, missile defenses, and leaders.

Geopolitical Importance of Yemen

• Borders: Saudi Arabia (North) and Oman (East).
• Coastline & Strategic Importance:
  • Red Sea (West), Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Guardafui Channel (South).
  • Controls the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a critical passage linking the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aden.
  • The strait is vital for global oil trade and international shipping.

 Who are the Houthis?

• The Houthis are a Zaidi Shia sect based in northwestern Yemen, particularly in Sa’dah province.
• Origins: The Houthi movement began in the 1990s as a rebellion against the dictatorship of then-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
• Role in the Yemen Civil War: The Houthis are a major faction in the Yemen Civil War and currently control western and northwestern Yemen, including the capital Sana’a.
  • Other factions in the war include:
    • Yemeni Government (backed by Saudi Arabia and the U.S.).
    • Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
    • Ansar al-Sharia (a terrorist group in Yemen).
• Iranian Backing & Anti-Israel Position: The Houthis are part of “The Axis of Resistance”, an Iran-led anti-Israel and anti-Western alliance.

Yemen FAQs

Q1. Where is Yemen located?
Ans. Yemen is located in the Middle East, on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Q2. What is the capital of Yemen?
Ans. The capital of Yemen is Sana’a, but due to ongoing conflicts, the port city of Aden serves as a temporary capital for the internationally recognized government.

Q3. What is the official language of Yemen?
Ans. The official language of Yemen is Arabic.

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Q4. What is the currency of Yemen?
Ans. The currency of Yemen is the Yemeni Rial (YER).

Source: TH