While entire world is undoubtly recovering from the global economic crisis :D for unknown reasons Yemen is place of violent outbreak for quite some time now and certainly it's not getting better.

So what we have here? The Yemeni "revolution" created situation of instability by removing president Saleh (North, zaidite ~ shia) and putting his vice-president Hadi (South with allegiance to North, sunni) in power. Shia rebellion (aka Houthi insurgency, named after the imam al-Houthi, aka Ansar Allah) has long history in North Yemen, but we're interested only in recent years, starting from 2011 of so called Arab spring and Yemeni "revolution" that fueled the conflict, which in turn led to Hadi being captured, eventually he managed to escape. That's one side on the conflict, roughly located at the north, potentially (if not already) a proxy of Iran. Another side is government forces (Hadi), roughly located at the south (starting today de-facto Saudis proxy). Third side is AQAP (currently it's a branch of ISIL), US proxy. And fourth side is South separatists about whom I have even less idea than about the former sides. Worth mentioing that Yemen in current shape and form is relatively young nation, North and South has been unificated in 1990.

Insightful comments about what is happening in Yemen are appreciated, the place for me (and likely for the majority) is an informational black hole aside from a bunch of banalities posted above.

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen, launches coalition op against Houthi rebels

Saudi Arabian forces, joined by nine other countries, have launched a military operation in Yemen against Shiite Houthi rebels, the Saudi ambassador to the US said. The offensive, which started with airstrikes, will also involve “other military assets.”

According to Ambassador Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, the military operation in Yemen started at 7 p.m. EST (11 p.m. GMT). The US is not participating in the operation, the envoy stressed.

Al Arabiya reported that warplanes of the Royal Saudi Air Force bombed positions of Yemen’s Houthi militia, targeting their air defenses.

The Saudi-led coalition has declared Yemeni airspace a “restricted zone.” Ships in the region have also been urged not to approach Yemen’s ports due to the ongoing military operation.

More than 20 people have reportedly died and over 30 others were injured following Saudi Arabia-led airstrikes in Yemen, Sputnik news agency cited local security and medical sources as saying. 

The majority of the strikes around Sanaa hit residential areas located near the capital’s international airport. Government buildings and the airport were also hit during the offensive.

I don't pretend to know much about Yemen, but I am interested in discussions such as this and will do a bit of research. You said that the Shiites are rebelling because a Sunni took over as President? And the USA is fighting ISIL in Yemen as well? AND there is a a faction of separatists in the South? AND the Sunni Empire of Saudi Arabia is helping Hadi attack the Shiite rebels as well? Sounds like a clusterfuck. But the again, almost all Middle-Eastern countries are clusterfucks; thanks to a century of political botches by Western countries.
I will do some research and return to the thread. It sounds like another Syria to me.

Definitely an interesting country to read about!

• Judaism ruled in 275 AD, Christianity arrived in 4th Century, and Islam Kingdoms ruled from 9th century until 16th century, although administration was difficult. Apparently the mountainous terrain made it difficult for Yemen to keep the unity.
• Ottoman and British Empires split Yemen up into North and South in early 20th century. After WW1, a Zaydi Muslim Kingdom was created in North Yemen after the expulsion of the Ottomans. The Zaydis had been there since the 17th centiry, but only then had fully managed to expel the Ottomans. It ruled until 1962.
• Meanwhile South Yemen remained a British Protectorate until 1967.
• North and South united to form the Republic of Yemen in 1990; what we see today. Sounds like it has always been a bit of a powder keg, and still wuite fractured in terms of unity. Different religious/political/regional interests were kept in check to reach a balance. Sounds like the step down of Saleh due to the mass protests helped disrupt that balance, along with the presence of ISIL. USA wants in due to Al Qaeda, and Saudi Arabia still wants some influence.
• Sounds like Saleh was trying to establish a dictatorship, but ironically, his successor was named in a one man election. Hadi resigned this January after political impasse with the Houthi's, but came back one month later. Both the Houthi's and Hadi call themselves leaders of Yemen, each basing their operations in a different city.

Yemen seems to have quite a busy history. I recommend reading about it; it's quite interesting.

While Western Countries did play a part in the political mess in the middle east they were under the rule of the Ottoman empire for centuries before that which was a huge part of the political problems there today, also religious differences also play a part in th conflicts as they have for centuries before the west and Ottoman empire.

"Proxy" war?
Dis ain't gonna b gud.

MohammadBadir said: "Proxy" war? Dis ain't gonna b gud.

Proxy wars are common before the start of great wars including ww1 and ww2.

daredevil.shark said: MohammadBadir said: "Proxy" war? Dis ain't gonna b gud. Proxy wars are common before the start of great wars including ww1 and ww2.

You didn't get the joke, lol.

Then again, I shouldn't be joking when it comes to something this serious...

So the saudi goverment gets something of its own medicine, serfs them right

Ka-pi96 said: MohammadBadir said: "Proxy" war? Dis ain't gonna b gud. You're always the centre of attention

Sure seems like it, lol.

na, the saudis have enough weapons and friends to win this war