The UN-brokered truce in Yemen that collapsed October 2, despite efforts to prolong it, disappointed Yemenis and those in the international community who had hoped it could be the groundwork for a lasting peace agreement ending more than seven years of war. During the preceding six months, the truce lessened some of the conflict's devastating effects. Economically, it allowed for…
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Oil Port Attacks Threaten Government Finances
Houthi drone attacks on Nushayma and Al-Dabba oil terminals in the latter half of October paralyzed oil exports and threatened to undermine government finances. Although its effects were not felt in October, prolonged loss of oil revenue would cut the government off from by far its largest source of revenue, which would have widespread knock-on effects, including eroding the ability…
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Houthis Attack Oil Ports
Houthi drone and missile strikes on government-controlled oil ports in mid-October marked the first significant post-truce military escalation, although neither the government nor the Houthis immediately launched major ground offensives. Fighting along frontlines nationwide after the truce ended October 2 occurred in southwestern Yemen, in Taiz, Lahj and Hudaydah governorates. In their troop movements and fortification of positions, both sides…
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Flooding Eases as Taiz Contends with Dengue Fever Outbreak
Flooding and flood-related displacement eased in October compared to previous months. However, authorities continued to battle a mosquito-spread dengue fever outbreak in Taiz governorate that has infected over 8,000 people and led to five deaths. Hospitals in Taiz governorate documented nearly 1,000 patients with the illness in October alone, according to medical workers and a source in the Taiz Health…
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Truce Extended, But Under Strain
On August 2, Yemen’s warring parties agreed to extend the country’s ongoing truce for an additional two months, until October 2. The deal came after intensive shuttle diplomacy by the UN and the US, and the arrival of an Omani delegation in Sana’a on July 31. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg was unable to secure terms for a broader six-month…
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UAE- and STC-Affiliated Forces Win the Second Battle for Shabwa
The most prominent military developments in August concerned intra-PLC clashes in Shabwa governorate between Islah-aligned and UAE-backed forces. The roots of the Shabwa fighting extend back to late July, when clashes between Islah-aligned government security forces and the STC-aligned Shabwa Defense forces culminated in the July 19 assassination attempt of Islah-aligned commander Abdu Rabu Laakab, who the UAE viewed as…
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Avoiding the Fate of a Powerless President
Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh was in many ways an absolute ruler, exercising his authority in a manner that often exceeded his constitutional powers. In doing so he was following the traditional practice of governance since the era of the Imams, which the republic in effect inherited and adapted. Now the tables have turned and Yemen has moved from being…
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Sana’a Center Workshop Tackles Urgent Issues in Shabwa
Shabwa, Yemen – The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies held a workshop to assess and discuss the most urgent challenges facing the governorate of Shabwa, addressing security, political, economic, and service issues.. During the workshop, held on August 17 and 18, a range of local officials, activists, community leaders, women’s organizations, civil society groups, and journalists identified a number of…
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Defeat in Shabwa Forces Islah to Reckon With New Political Reality
Long-running tensions in Shabwa devolved into heavy fighting in the governorate capital Ataq on August 8, pitting Islah-affiliated security forces against UAE-backed units. Back-and-forth fighting over three days ended on August 10 with the Giants Brigades and Shabwa Defense forces, supported by UAE drone strikes, securing control of the city and Islah-affiliated commanders fleeing the governorate. The battle in Shabwa…
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Tensions between Islah- and STC-Affiliated Forces in Shabwa Explode with Assassination Attempt
Islah-affiliated commander of the Special Security forces in Shabwa, Brigadier General Abd Rabbo Laakab, survived an assassination attempt by members of the UAE-backed Shabwa Defense forces in Shabwa governorate. Laakab’s convoy was ambushed in Ataq city, the governorate capital, on July 19; two members of the Special Security Forces were killed, and two others were wounded in the attack. The…
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