Ending Yemen's Civil War: Barriers to Peace and Prospects for a Negotiated Settlement

Abstract

The Houthi movement has been engaged in conflict with the Yemeni government since 2004. In September 2014, after Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa, the conflict escalated to a full-scale civil war between the Yemeni government and the Houthis. The conflict reached its climax in 2015, when the Saudi-led Coalition intervened to restore legitimacy in Yemen. Since then, Yemen has been mired in a civil war. This research delves into the core question of why peace continues to elude Yemen, offering crucial insights into the challenges and potential solutions for conflict termination. Analyzing the history and dynamics of the Yemeni civil war, this study finds that the failure of past peace talks that took place in Geneva,Kuwait, and Stockholm reflects the persistent mistrust between the government and Houthis, coupled with alack of effective trust building and enforcement mechanisms. This study also highlights the impact of external actors, further complicating the peace process. Ultimately, this research underscores the need for multifaceted,coordinated efforts to achieve a lasting and meaningful peace. With the international community's support,there is a potential window of opportunity to bring the warring parties together and pave the way for a brighter future in Yemen.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1224864

Entities

People

  • Mithaq A. Aljarf

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Fields of Study

  • History
  • Sociology

Readers

  • Personnel Management and Statistics in the Military and Department of Defense
  • Strategic Security Studies