Yemen: Former president killed in Sana'a, clashes intensify Dec. 4 /update 2

Event

On Monday, December 4, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh was reportedly killed by snipers in the capital Sana'a after Houthi rebels blew up his house. This comes days after Saleh expressed openness to talks with the Saudi-led coalition, in a move that the Houthis called a "coup." Saleh and the Houthi rebels previously formed an alliance to oppose the Saudi-led coalition, the Hadi-led government in Aden and allied forces, and Sunni Islamist extremist organizations such as Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State (IS) in the ongoing Yemeni Civil War.

Heavy clashes have affected Sana'a in recent days; according to the Red Cross, at least 125 people have been killed and 200 wounded in the capital over the past week. Many shops and schools have closed due to the fighting. The Houthis also reportedly seized the home of the rebel Interior Minister, close to Saleh, and killed three of his bodyguards. Another tribal leader with ties to Saleh was also killed in Amran, north of the capital.

Additionally, on Sunday, December 3, the Saudi-led coalition conducted several airstrikes and raids on Houthi military installations near Sana'a International Airport (SAH) and Dulaimi base. The Yemeni national army has also reportedly deployed troops towards Sana'a. Continued clashes are to be expected in the coming days.

Context

The political alliance between former President Saleh and the Houthi rebels has effectively deteriorated. The alliance in question controls most of northern Yemen, including many significant population centers. Saudi Arabia claims that Houthi forces are Iranian proxies and have waged an intense air campaign and instituted a blockade on Yemen's air, land, and sea ports to curb the potential expansion of their influence and increasing control over the country's north.

Yemen has been engaged in a complex and deadly conflict since Houthi rebels started fighting the international coalition-backed government in 2015. In total, approximately 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and around 3 million have been displaced. The war has also sparked a cholera outbreak, which has affected over 925,000 people to date. Approximately 20.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and the crisis has placed an overwhelming strain on the country's struggling health system. Major health facilities have been destroyed in the conflict and aid deliveries are often blocked by rebels, stolen, or destroyed. Yemen is also affected by widespread famine. Approximately 17 million people - two-thirds of the population of Yemen - are food insecure, according to the World Food Program. Human rights organization CARE reports that roughly two-thirds of the population is without regular access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Advice

The security environment in Yemen remains complex. Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.