Trumpov rat opet oživio krvavi sukob: ‘Saudijci svaki problem pokušavaju riješiti novcem, a Hutiji oružjem’

Violence has reignited in Yemen after nearly four years of fragile ceasefire, with renewed clashes between Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition threatening to plunge the war-torn country into further chaos. According to reports, the conflict has been exacerbated by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, which have pushed both sides closer to open warfare. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have launched attacks against Saudi Arabia and its allies, while the Saudi-led coalition has carried out air strikes on areas under Houthi control for the first time in several years. The situation has raised concerns among international observers and humanitarian groups, who warn that the resumption of hostilities could lead to widespread suffering for the civilian population. The war, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital Sanaa, has already left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. The conflict has also severely impacted the economy, leading to one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. According to analysts, the Houthis see little to lose in continuing the fight, believing they stand to gain more through escalation, including greater access to Yemen's oil revenues and increased political influence. A spokesperson for the Chatham House research center noted that the Houthis have always turned to military action as their primary solution to problems, while the Saudis prefer financial means. This divergence in approach has fueled ongoing hostilities despite previous efforts to broker peace. In recent weeks, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones targeting Saudi Arabia and ships in the Red Sea, disrupting global energy markets. In response, the Saudi-led coalition has conducted aerial strikes on Houthi-held territories, marking a significant shift in strategy. These actions have raised fears of a broader regional conflict involving other Middle Eastern powers. Humanitarian organizations have expressed deep concern over the potential consequences of renewed violence. April Alley, a former UN official working on Yemen's peace process, stated that there is genuine worry about the possibility of the internal conflict flaring up again. Her assessment is based on discussions with Yemeni officials, current and former Western diplomats involved in peace talks, and regional analysts, many of whom spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the negotiations. Millions of Yemenis live in extreme poverty, and some have even suggested that a return to war might be preferable to the despair they currently face. The humanitarian crisis has worsened over the years, with food shortages, disease outbreaks, and lack of medical care affecting large parts of the population. Despite this, the prospect of renewed fighting has sparked anxiety among civilians who fear another wave of destruction. The conflict has roots in the power struggle between the Houthis and the Saudi-led government, which has been supported by Western countries. The Houthis, originally a group of Shia insurgents in northern Yemen, gained strength with Iranian backing and eventually took control of Sanaa in 2014. Since then, they have sought to establish themselves as the dominant political force in the region. The Saudis, fearing the rise of an Iranian-backed state on their southern border, have intervened militarily, leading to a protracted war that has drained resources and damaged international reputations. A fragile ceasefire was declared in 2022, but it has proven to be tenuous. Efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement were made in late 2023, with the involvement of the United Nations. One key component of the proposed deal was the payment of salaries to Yemeni government employees in Houthi-controlled areas, whose wages had been suspended during the war. The estimated cost of these payments ranged between $1 billion and $2 billion annually, according to two Western diplomats and a Yemeni official familiar with the plan. Funding for these payments would primarily come from Yemen's oil revenue, given that the country holds significant oil reserves. However, the implementation of such a plan faces numerous challenges, including the division of the country along ideological lines and the lack of trust between the warring parties. With the recent escalation of violence, the prospects for a sustainable peace appear increasingly uncertain.