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Country analysis

Yemen


Conflict between the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen (IRG), with support from the Saudi-led coalition, and the de-facto authority (DFA) in the north of Yemen (also known as the Houthis) has been continuing since 2015. The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian and economic crisis that have led to more than 21.6 million (66% of the total population) needing humanitarian assistance and 4.3 million people being internally displaced.

Yemen has historically been divided socially and politically along tribal, ethnic, ideological, and religious lines. The current conflict has furthered this fragmentation into three main areas of control. As at September 2022, the DFA controlled the majority of the northern and central governorates, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council controlled part of southern Yemen (mainly Aden, Lahj, and Socotra), and the IRG controlled the remainder of the southern and eastern governorates.

On 2 April 2022, the conflict parties agreed to an UN-mediated truce, which expired on 2 October. The truce called for an end to all hostilities, the entry of fuel ships into the Al Hodeidah port, and the resumption of commercial flights from and to Sana'a airport. Despite the non-extension of the truce, large-scale conflict has not resumed, and discussions continue regarding the reopening of closed roads, especially around Ta’iz, and the payment of public sector salaries.

(OCHA 20/12/2022, IPC 16/11/2022, CFR accessed 21/10/2022, OSESGY 02/10/2022, OSESGY accesswd 02/04/2022)

Conflict between the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen (IRG), with support from the Saudi-led coalition, and the de-facto authority (DFA) in the north of Yemen (also known as the Houthis) has been continuing since 2015. The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian and economic crisis that have led to more than 21.6 million (66% of the total population) needing humanitarian assistance and 4.3 million people being internally displaced.

Yemen has historically been divided socially and politically along tribal, ethnic, ideological, and religious lines. The current conflict has furthered this fragmentation into three main areas of control. As at September 2022, the DFA controlled the majority of the northern and central governorates, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council controlled part of southern Yemen (mainly Aden, Lahj, and Socotra), and the IRG controlled the remainder of the southern and eastern governorates.

On 2 April 2022, the conflict parties agreed to an UN-mediated truce, which expired on 2 October. The truce called for an end to all hostilities, the entry of fuel ships into the Al Hodeidah port, and the resumption of commercial flights from and to Sana'a airport. Despite the non-extension of the truce, large-scale conflict has not resumed, and discussions continue regarding the reopening of closed roads, especially around Ta’iz, and the payment of public sector salaries.

(OCHA 20/12/2022, IPC 16/11/2022, CFR accessed 21/10/2022, OSESGY 02/10/2022, OSESGY accesswd 02/04/2022)

Latest updates on country situation

30 August 2023

Numerous reports by the UN, human rights groups, and INGOs have indicated the mass and deliberate killing of hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers by Saudi border guards on the Yemen-Saudi Arabia border in the past year alone. The killings seem to be systematic, indiscriminate, and widespread, using snipers and explosives and shooting people at close range, including children and women. Yemen is a transit country on the East Africa migration route to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf region. In 2023, there has been an increase in the number of migrants and asylum seekers using this route. As at the end of July 2023, over 86,630 migrants arrived in Yemen. Presently, there are an estimated 750,000 Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers in Saudi Arabia. Migrants arriving in Yemen experience gender-based violence, trafficking, and humanitarian needs such as shelter, basic needs, and protection. (HRW 21/08/2023,
Mixed Migration Center 05/07/2023,
Migration Data Portal 21/02/2022)

current crises
in Yemen


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

YEM001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 30/08/2023


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.7 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

YEM002 - Mixed Migration

Last updated 30/08/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.5 Medium

Access constraints

5.0

Analysis products
on Yemen

Yemen: Social impact monitoring project report: April–June 2023

30 August 2023

Yemen: Social impact monitoring project report: April–June 2023

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

This report identifies the events and themes that emerged from April–June 2023 via the Yemeni information landscape on trends that had or were likely to have a social impact during that period. It aims to enrich the understanding of the social groups facing the greatest challenges in meeting needs and those most vulnerable to protection concerns.

Yemen: food supply chain update

02 August 2023

Yemen: food supply chain update

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

This analysis aims to provide an update on the nature and structure of Yemen’s food market since 2020 and the role of different factors (responders, policies, global dynamics, etc.) in determining food prices.

Food security & livelihoods
Yemen: Social impact monitoring project report: January–March 2023

20 June 2023

Yemen: Social impact monitoring project report: January–March 2023

DOCUMENT / PDF / 329 KB

This social impact monitoring project (SIMP) report identifies the events and themes that emerged from January–March 2023 via the Yemeni information landscape on trends that have had, or are likely to have, a social impact.

Women’s economic empowerment in the Yemeni context

06 June 2023

Women’s economic empowerment in the Yemeni context

DOCUMENT / PDF / 411 KB

This analysis examines women’s experiences of economic empowerment in the Yemeni context. The results are intended to help inform the design of women's economic empowerment (WEE) programmes in Yemen.

EconomyGender

Attached resources

Yemen: Social impact overview 2022

05 May 2023

Yemen: Social impact overview 2022

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

Every quarter, ACAPS’ Yemen Analysis Hub produces a Social Impact Monitoring Product (SIMP) identifying the events and themes emerging from the information landscape on Yemen that have had, or are likely to have, a social impact. This report brings the four SIMP reports from 2022 together in a collected overview to reflect on the year in its entirety from a social impact angle.

View more