Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 5.46 — strongly supporting 34 facts
Saudi Arabia and Yemen are linked through a long-standing military and political conflict, where Saudi Arabia has led a coalition to intervene in Yemen's internal affairs [1], [2], and [3]. This relationship is defined by Saudi Arabia's efforts to counter Iranian influence in Yemen [4], [5], and [6], as well as ongoing diplomatic attempts to manage regional stability and border security [7], [8], and [9].
Facts (34)
Sources
Opportunities for Collective Regional Security in the Middle East carnegieendowment.org 9 facts
claimPrior to October 2023, Saudi Arabia distanced itself from regional conflicts, such as the war in Yemen, and normalized relations with Iran in exchange for security guarantees.
accountIran and Saudi Arabia reached an accord to restore diplomatic ties and de-escalate the conflict in Yemen.
claimSaudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sought to contain Iranian regional expansion in Bahrain, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
claimThe outbreak of hostilities across Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and the southern Red Sea diverted Saudi Arabia's focus from its modernization goals and exposed the country to risks such as the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria.
accountThe 2023 diplomatic agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran led to a decrease in military confrontations in Yemen, a partial withdrawal of Saudi and Emirati forces, and a reduction in Houthi aggression against Saudi and Emirati territories.
accountBy October 7, 2023, Iran reestablished diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia through Chinese mediation, which facilitated relative stability in Yemen.
claimCurrent regional policies often entangle Middle Eastern states in direct or proxy conflicts, such as Israel’s tensions with Iran, Türkiye’s intervention in Syria and Iraq, and the military involvement of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in Yemen.
accountIran expanded its influence in Yemen through the Houthi movement, providing the group with military, financial, and political support to secure their loyalty as a proxy near Saudi Arabia.
accountIn 2011, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates perceived the Arab Spring uprisings as a destabilizing force, fearing that the resulting chaos would empower political Islam movements and increase Iranian influence, particularly in Bahrain and Yemen.
The Limits of Iran's Proxy Empire | The New Yorker newyorker.com 7 facts
claimThe Houthis have deployed missile launchers, drone-operating units, and military brigades throughout northern Yemen, spanning from the Red Sea coastlines to the border with Saudi Arabia.
claimThe Houthis have deployed missile launchers, drone-operating units, and military brigades throughout northern Yemen, spanning from the Red Sea coastlines to the border with Saudi Arabia.
claimSaudi Arabia is attempting to unify anti-Houthi forces in southern Yemen following the military withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates and the collapse of a militia previously backed by the UAE.
accountThe Houthis survived a years-long bombing campaign conducted by a U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition that aimed to reinstall the elected government of Yemen.
claimSaudi Arabia is attempting to unify anti-Houthi forces in southern Yemen following the military withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates and the collapse of a militia previously backed by the UAE.
claimMiddle East politics-and-security expert Mohammed al-Basha reported that the Houthis have deployed missile launchers, drone-operating units, and military brigades throughout northern Yemen, spanning from the Red Sea coastlines to the border with Saudi Arabia.
accountThe Houthis successfully survived a years-long bombing campaign conducted by a U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition that aimed to reinstall the elected government of Yemen.
War by Proxy: Iran's Growing Footprint in the Middle East - CSIS csis.org 6 facts
claimThe regional conflict involving Iran includes the war in Yemen, the Houthi use of ballistic missiles against Saudi Arabia, an escalating conflict with Israel in Syria, the growth of Shia militia forces in Iraq, targeted assassinations, and cyberattacks.
claimIran's strategic objectives in Yemen include retaining or increasing its influence along the Red Sea and weakening Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
claimStarting around 2016, as the conflict in Yemen intensified due to the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Iran increased its aid to the Houthis.
claimHouthi expansion in Yemen has stalled due to Saudi and United Arab Emirates support for local actors and aggressive interdiction efforts.
claimHouthi expansion in Yemen has stalled due to Saudi and UAE support for local actors and aggressive interdiction efforts.
perspectiveIran's strategic objectives in Yemen include retaining and increasing its influence along the Red Sea, as well as weakening Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran at a Historical Crossroads - E-International Relations e-ir.info 3 facts
claimA Foreign Affairs analysis suggests that by 2025, Iran faces the potential collapse of key proxies, including the Houthis in Yemen, which would diminish Iran's ability to use them as an active proxy against Saudi Arabia.
claimIran views the Houthi militia in Yemen as part of its 'four capitals' of influence and has used them to pressure Saudi Arabia through cross-border missile attacks and threats to Red Sea shipping lanes.
accountA regional détente between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023, combined with ongoing peace talks in Yemen, has reduced hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
The crises in the Middle East: reshaping the region's geopolitical ... link.springer.com 2 facts
claimSaudi Arabia and Iran are competing for regional leadership and influence in conflicts occurring in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Iraq, which exacerbates sectarian divisions and undermines stability.
claimThe geopolitical rivalry between the Shia and Sunni blocs, represented by Iran and Saudi Arabia, has fueled sectarian tensions and proxy wars in Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, Iraq, and Yemen, complicating peaceful conflict resolution.
Iran's Proxy Strategy and the Extent of Surrogate Autonomy - AHS alexanderhamiltonsociety.org 2 facts
perspectiveAmerican strategy regarding Houthi rebels in Yemen requires extreme caution due to the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and the potential for support of Saudi operations to harm overall American interests.
claimSaudi Arabia views Yemen as its sphere of influence, similar to how Iran views Iraq.
Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the Iran war atlanticcouncil.org 2 facts
claimThe Houthis in Yemen have maintained a detente with Saudi Arabia since 2022.
claimThere are three potential scenarios for Houthi involvement in an Iran-related war: (1) limited strikes on Israel to demonstrate solidarity with Iran; (2) limited strikes on Red Sea shipping to test Saudi red lines or extract concessions; or (3) widespread attacks on Red Sea shipping, Saudi Arabia, and ground offensives in Yemen to seize oil and gas resources.
Iran War: Kinetic, Cyber, Electronic and Psychological Warfare ... resecurity.com 1 fact
claimThe United States advised American citizens to immediately leave Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen due to escalating Iranian strikes and planned US retaliatory strikes.
The path forward on Iran and its proxy forces - Brookings Institution brookings.edu 1 fact
claimIn 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention in Yemen with cooperation from regional partners in the Gulf and the United States.
United States and Iran on the Brink: What's at Stake? - CSIS csis.org 1 fact
accountThe conflict in Yemen became a major point of contention between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates when the Southern Transitional Council breached borders and moved into areas of Hadhramaut and the Mahra province, which Saudi Arabia viewed as contrary to its interests.