The first Marib Attack - Case Study Example

Current Event Analysis: 2020 Ma′rib Attack

The first Ma’rib attack happened on January 18, 2020, while the subsequent one happened in May 2020. The attack happened when drones and missile attacks were directed at the Military camp located near Ma’rib. Ma’rib is an oil-rich province lying about 70 miles East of Sanna, which is majorly controlled by Houthis. The city harbors the Saudi-led CoalitionCoalition that is backed by the United States. It is believed that this attack was carried out by Yemen's Houthis fighters who were firing ballistic missiles, with the chief target being the army command of the Saudi. The attack led to so many fatalities, and hundreds were injured. The country which has been experiencing civil wars indicated that this was one of the bloodiest incidents with the capability of threatening the peace process, which had taken off. During the attack, three ballistic missiles hit the mosque when the soldiers were having their evening prayers. Pictures and videos taken from the scene of the attack did show a massive crater at the spot where the mosque had been erected (Aljazeera, 2020). After the attack, the Houthis did not claim responsibility immediately, and they indicated that Iran was not using them. They indicated that their actions were directed towards fighting the corrupt system, which had pondered Saudi resources.

Yemen’s civil war became intense in 2015 when President Rabbu Mansour attempted to foster a coalition backed by the United States to fight the Iran-backed Houthis. In the CoalitionCoalition, 20 Arab Nations joined hands with the chief aim being to eliminate the Houthis, who were seen as the puppets of Iran. Since then, the crisis has catalyzed to be one of the most disastrous human threatening crises, which has led to more than 100000 fatalities. Additionally, the attack has made more than 80% living in unsafe conditions. This number is about 24 million individuals relying on international aid for their survival (Aljazeera, 2020). Both sides have been blamed for the suffering they have occasioned innocent citizens. Innocent civilities have had their livelihood affected, with the majority being left homeless. This has increased levels of poverty and the destruction of properties and homes. Additionally, many people have been left dead, yet they have not taken part in the wrangles. The international community has expressed its concerns over the suffering that this crisis has occasioned to the civilians. The most affected are young children and women. It is high time Saudi explores peaceful mechanisms of resolving this crisis.

After the attack, there was a fierce fight between the government forces and Houthis, each side seeking to attain control of the Ma’rib east junction that connects to the province of Sanaa. On the same Monday, Houthi Senior Commander, Jaber Al Muwaed, was killed as reported by Al-Arabiya Saudi TELEVISION Channel. The attack happened one week after the United Nations Representative in Yemen, Martin Griffiths, celebrated a drastic reduction in the incidences of violence in Yemen. However, the declaration ignored the heightened tension between the United States and Iran following the murder of Qassem Suleiman on January 3, 2020 (McKernan, 2020). The same day that General Suleiman was killed via drone attack, United States military personnel attempted to kill a Senior Iranian Commander in Yemen, Abdul Reza Shahlai. Following Suleiman killings, mass demonstrations were witnessed with the demonstrators chanting anti-US slogans. Houthi leadership did promise that they were going to revenge over the killings of General Suleimani. Martin tried to appeal to all parties to desist from indulging in any action whose impact would lead to the furtherance of war. Such actions would lead to an escalation of conflict and lower the attainment of peace negotiations in the region.

In December 2018, the country had taken the initiative of engaging in negotiations directed towards minimizing the spread of famine in the country. However, all this was in vain since the country's condition continued to worsen with an increment of violent incidences. First, back channel negotiations were happening under the watch of Oman to bring peace. These negotiations started after the rebels revealed that they were behind the attacks of the tankers located in Strait of Hormuz, which are instrumental in the Saudi oil infrastructure. Iran was denied as the mastermind of these attacks even though they denied the responsibility. The United States indicated that the attack served as a signal that Houthis were not interested in the restoration of peace in the war-torn country. Different commentators expressed different views regarding the attack. Information Minister for Yemen indicated that Houthi's attack was a way of revenge against the killing of General Suleimani. However, analyst Farea indicated that it was wrong to view the attack as an act of revenge since it targeted the Yemen soldiers. The residents expressed concern regarding the attack since it impacted the efforts targeting the attainment of peaceful negotiations to end the civil war in Yemen.

Besides the January attack, another Missile attack on Ma’rib was witnessed in May 2020. The missile attack came one month after the expiry of one-, month of ceasefire. The attack was carried by Houthis, who are believed to have some partnership with Iran. After the attack, the Houthis did not claim responsibility immediately. Houthis have continually been evading the Ma’rib province despite the negotiation that they cease from invading territories that are not theirs. On the other hand, the Saudi-US coalition has been conducting retaliation attacks intending to eliminate Houthis. During the attack, Chief of Staff, Sagherr, survived the attack while his son and nephew were killed together with five other officers. Since 2018, United Nations have been trying to call for peace talks in the country, but none have yield fruits. With the emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic, the country has emerged to have fostered a relationship that will create unified efforts in the fight against the pandemic. It is worrying that the conflict has occasioned intense hunger in the country (Reuters, 2020). With malnourished people, the citizens’ immunity has been weakened hence making them vulnerable to the coronavirus attack.

Notably, the wars in Yemen are as a result of a division in the country. The south part of Yemen comprises of the Saudi-backed government while the Houthis inhabit the North part. Houthis ousted the government from power in 2014 and took the Sanaa province. This led to the formation of the CoalitionCoalition a few months later with the intention of fighting each other. Each of the two groups has been fighting for dominance, and non is yet to reclaim. Consequently, there has been fierce exchanges that have led to the maiming, displacing, and killing of many innocent civilians. Additionally, there has been massive destruction of properties, which have led to the disruption of economic, social, and political lives in Yemen. This has characterized an extended period of famines in the country that has seen thousands of Yemen succumbing to hunger. The international community has taken it upon themselves to condemn the incessant attacks and has threatened to impose heavy sanctions on the country if a long-lasting solution is not found soonest possible. Furthermore, international donors have been extending financial aid and other forms of relief to the war-torn country. Mediation talks have been at the center to see of the rivaling groups will come into a consensus and end the conflicts which have permeated for a long time.

Following the Ma’rib attack, 73 people died instantly, and others were severely injured. Videos circulating in the media showed a gruesome attack that happened in the mosque. Body parts were seen spread all over the floor (The Guardian, 2020). Some body parts were trapped on the shredded debris of the collapsed building with blood scattered all over. Walls had stains of blood, and the mosque's carpet had a pool of blood. The number kept rising until it hit 116. It is even anticipated that this number rose further since some individuals had sustained severe injuries, and they could succumb any time from those injuries. Yemen president indicated that it is the high time that the military stayed alert to avert such an attack in the future.