These are the competing groups controlling territory in Yemen | AJ #shorts

Key Concepts

• Houthis (Ansar Allah): A dominant force in North Yemen, backed by Iran, aiming to reshape Yemen’s political system.
• Presidential Leadership Council (PLC): The internationally recognized government of Yemen, backed by Saudi Arabia, focused on peace negotiations and rebuilding.
• Southern Transitional Council (SDC): A separatist movement in South Yemen, backed by the UAE, seeking an independent state.
• Security Belt: Paramilitary forces under the Southern Armed Forces, funded and trained by the UAE, operating within the SDC’s control.
• Unification (1990): The merging of North and South Yemen into a single country.

The Tripartite Control of Yemen

Yemen currently operates not as a unified nation, but under the control of three distinct power centers, each pursuing independent objectives. This fractured governance is the primary driver of the ongoing political instability and civil conflict.

The Houthis (Ansar Allah) – Control in the North

The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, represent the dominant power in northern Yemen. Their territorial control encompasses Sana’a (SA), the nation’s capital, the majority of the densely populated northwest, and areas bordering Saudi Arabia. Originating as a localized religious and social movement in the 1990s, the Houthis engaged in six separate conflicts with the Yemeni state, largely during the presidency of Ali Abdullah Saleh.

A pivotal moment occurred in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of Sana’a, prompting then-President Hadi to flee the country and initiating the current civil war. Despite facing sustained military opposition from a Saudi-led coalition, the Houthis have maintained control over much of the North. Recent actions, including attacks on ships in the Red Sea and related operations linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, have brought them increased international attention. Their overarching goal is a fundamental restructuring of Yemen’s political landscape to align with their own vision.

The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) – International Recognition, Limited Power

The internationally recognized government of Yemen is embodied by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), established in 2022. However, the PLC’s practical control is significantly diminished, limited primarily to areas such as Marib (MAB) and Taiz (TAS), alongside smaller regions maintained through strategic alliances.

While enjoying international recognition and the backing of Saudi Arabia, the PLC possesses limited operational power on the ground. Its stated objectives center on achieving a negotiated peace settlement and initiating the reconstruction of Yemen.

The Southern Transitional Council (SDC) – Separatist Ambitions in the South

The Southern Transitional Council (SDC), a separatist movement founded in 2017, controls significant territory in southern Yemen. The SDC’s primary aim is the establishment of an independent state in the south, reflecting the historical division of Yemen as two separate entities – North and South Yemen – prior to their unification in 1990.

The SDC and its affiliated forces currently claim control over Aden, Yemen’s crucial port city, and the surrounding provinces, including much of Yemen’s eastern region. Recent actions include incursions into the oil-rich Hadramaut region and Al-Mahara, justified by the SDC as efforts to restore order. They have repeatedly declared self-rule, citing accusations of corruption against the central government.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides substantial support to the SDC, encompassing financial aid and training for paramilitary units known as the Security Belt. These forces operate under the umbrella of the Southern Armed Forces. The SDC’s core objective remains the attainment of self-rule for the south.

Interconnectedness and Conflict

The fundamentally conflicting objectives of the Houthis, the SDC, and the PLC are the root cause of Yemen’s deep political fragmentation and ongoing internal strife. The competition for power and differing visions for Yemen’s future continue to fuel the civil war and hinder any prospects for lasting peace. As stated implicitly throughout the analysis, the external backing from Iran (Houthis) and Saudi Arabia/UAE (PLC/SDC) further exacerbates these divisions.