Yemen is a country that has been at the mercy of an ongoing war for a number of years: a war between the Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed forces. The war has caused immense suffering for those in Yemen, with several million civilians being devastated by bombings, hunger and suffering. Unfortunately, the war in Yemen is being largely overlooked by the international community despite it being one of the most severe humanitarian crises currently ongoing. A significant source of destruction in Yemen has been the air campaign led by Saudi-Arabia, the largest military power in the region.
Since the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen started in 2015 and as of 2020, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people have been killed as a result of the ongoing war. Out of the total death toll, over 70,000 are believed to have died due to direct violence. The remaining 30,000 deaths have been caused by secondary factors such as malnutrition, disease and poor access to healthcare. Analysis suggest that the majority of these deaths have been of civilians, largely women and children. However, this number of death is difficult to ascertain accurately, since there is undoubtedly some unknown deaths that have not been accounted for.
The Saudi air campaign has caused immense destruction and suffering in Yemen. According to Human Rights Watch, Saudi Arabia has carried out air strikes on civilian targets, including schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure. Furthermore, statistics gathered from the Yemen Data Project show that the Saudi air forces have allegedly been responsible for a third of all air attack incidents across Yemen for the five-year period from March 2015 to April 2020. This includes the bombing of residential areas, businesses, factories and other sites.
Evidence of the Saudi military’s atrocities in Yemen is clear, although there have yet to be any criminal proceedings against the individuals responsible. This is indicative of a broader international failure to punish those responsible for human rights violations in Yemen, and of a larger obstruction of justice.
The United Nations and human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into the war in Yemen, notably including investigations into the Saudi-led airstrike campaign. Despite this, Saudi Arabia and its allies have not shown a willingness to cooperate or accept responsibility for the human rights abuses they have committed. This further serves to demonstrate the impunity with which these forces are acting, and the lack of accountability for those responsible.
Nevertheless, the number of those killed in Yemen as a result of Saudi Arabia’s air campaign is staggering. The death toll has been immense and it is hard to ignore the suffering that the people of Yemen are facing. It is only by ensuring accountability and taking action to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account, that the international community can ensure that justice is being served in Yemen.
How has the Yemen conflict affected healthcare and medical services?
The conflict in Yemen has had serious and far-reaching implications on the health and medical services available to local communities. The conflict has caused extensive damage to hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country, as well as obstructing the delivery of medical aid. This has resulted in medical facilities being shut down, overstretched due to a surge in the number of patients, or unable to provide care due to a lack of personnel.
As medical facilities in Yemen have become inaccessible or damaged, many civilians have been unable to receive the medical attention they require. This has resulted in major health crises. For instance, the World Health Organization has informed that there has been a 20-fold increase in the number of cases of cholera across Yemen since the conflict began, amounting to more than two million suspected cases.
Furthermore, civilians have experienced direct violence when using medical facilities or while transporting patients to healthcare facilities. For instance, documented violence includes air strikes that have targeted medical facilities and locals needing to cross frontline areas or checkpoints have reported restrictions on accessing care.
The deteriorating health and medical situation in Yemen has been aggravated by an acute lack of resources. Hospitals and medical facilities have a lack of medical personnel, equipment and medicine, making it difficult for them to provide necessary medical care to the public. Moreover, medical personnel have been facing a multitude of obstacles in the exercise of their duties, such as facing violence, harassment and detention. The lack of resources and access to medical services affect a range of conditions, however pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.
What has been the international response to the Yemen conflict?
The international community has responded in different ways to the conflict in Yemen. In terms of international efforts to end the conflict, the UN has been engaged in peace talks since 2013. Despite efforts, there are currently no prospects for a political solution, with the war continuing into 2020.
Moreover, it is also evident that the international community remains largely unprepared to adequately address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, despite increased awareness of the situation. Humanitarian organizations have struggled to implement aid due to a lack of resources and security problems, as well as delays and restrictions on access to areas affected by the conflict. The international response has been described by the UN as “inadequate”.
Furthermore, the international community has failed to effectively hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations in Yemen. There have yet to be consequences for those responsible for the violation of international law in Yemen, and the government of Saudi Arabia, in particular, has largely escaped without scrutiny.
In the face of growing international calls for an end to the Yemen war, as well as the need for accountability and justice, the international community has so far failed to act. The lack of an effective international response has arguably perpetuated the conflict in Yemen, and with it, the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
What challenges exist in gathering evidence for accountability?
Despite mounting evidence of human rights violations in Yemen, ensuring accountability for those responsible has proven to be a major challenge. This is due to a range of factors. Firstly, the conditions in Yemen have made it difficult to collect conclusive evidence in many cases, due to the destruction of records or a lack of access. This, coupled with the scarcity of independent investigative capacity, has made it difficult to arrive at any firm conclusions about violations.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has maintained a consistent and pervasive lack of cooperation with various UN investigations, while statements made by the Saudi authorities have been inconsistent with the facts presented by the investigators. As such, it is difficult for accountability efforts to progress, due to a lack of information and resources.
Moreover, accountability efforts have been hindered by the failure of the international community to pressure those responsible to face justice. This is in spite of increased awareness of the situation in Yemen, exemplified by the release of multiple reports condemning violations of international law in the country.
Therefore, evidence gathering for accountability remains a major challenge, due to barriers that exist on the ground in Yemen, as well as from the lack of political will on the behalf of the international community.
What potential steps could be taken to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen?
The ongoing conflict in Yemen and the ensuing humanitarian crisis present an immense challenge that demands a response. In order to address the situation, there is a need to focus efforts and support on building a political landscape that enables the implementation of peace initiatives. The path towards a political solution must be encouraged, and the effective implementation of agreements must be ensured.
Furthermore, there is a need to ensure accountability and justice for those responsible for violations of international law. In order to do this, there must be an independent and credible investigation into the allegations of human rights violations. It is also vitally important that the international community utilise their diplomatic and economic leverage to pressure those responsible for violations to cooperate, and take action to hold those responsible to account.
Finally, in order to alleviate the growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, immediate and effective access to medical and basic societal services must be guaranteed. This includes support for local healthcare systems, and for the delivery of aid, medical supplies and other essential necessities. Additionally, the international community must provide support to local peacebuilding initiatives, delivering assistance that is tailored towards tackling the unique drivers of violence in Yemen.
What is the role of the youth in bringing peace in Yemen?
Though the conflict in Yemen has persisted for a number of years, the question of peace must always remain on the table. In this regard, the role of the youth is of particular importance – both in terms of striving for peace in Yemen, but also in helping to rebuild society afterwards. This is due to the fact that the youth form the largest demographic in Yemen, and their role in the peace process is seen as pivotal.
Firstly, youth have considerable potential to support in political negotiations towards finding a lasting peace in Yemen. Through their influence in civil society, media, advocacy and policymaking, young people are well placed to contribute to finding a political solution that can bring about lasting peace. Furthermore, the youth have a responsibility to educate themselves, and to push for an end to the violence as well as for those responsible to confront justice.
Moreover, youth in Yemen have a particular role to play in efforts to rebuild and revitalise society post-conflict. Young people can help to support the local economy by providing employment opportunities, as well as by channeling resources and knowledge into local communities. In addition, they can also be involved in initiatives to promote social cohesion and offer skills to aid in reconstruction. Through such initiatives, the youth can help to re-establish security in Yemen and contribute towards a more prosperous future for themselves and their communities.
What is the impact of the conflict on women and girls in Yemen?
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has had particularly severe repercussions for women and girls. This is due to a range of factors, including heightened insecurity, increased poverty, restricted access to healthcare services, and the destruction of infrastructure, which all have a disproportionate effect on women and girls.
The vulnerability of women in Yemen has been exacerbated by gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation, sexual violence and early marriage. Women have particularly suffered in terms of restrictions on freedom of movement, as many have not been able to access the basic services they need, such as healthcare. Furthermore, women have experienced increased discrimination in the workplace, including in terms of unequal access to education and labour opportunities. In addition, women have faced discrimination within the judicial system, largely in relation to their role in resolving disputes and accessing justice.
The conflict in Yemen has also been especially detrimental to the mental wellbeing of women and girls. The trauma of violence, displacement and poverty has had a serious effect on the mental health of numerous women. This, coupled with a lack of resources and access to support services available for mental health, has posed an immense challenge on the mental health of women and girls in Yemen.
Therefore, it is evident that the conflict in Yemen has had a profound effect on women and girls across the country. Women and girls have experienced a significant amount of suffering and been faced with immense challenges. In order to address this, it is critical to ensure that women are granted equal access to opportunities and resources in Yemen, and that their contributions to society are recognised and upheld.
