Landmines, hunger, and deprivation: Yemenis are paying the price for the Houthi coup
Introduction: A bitter reality experienced by Yemenis
For years, Yemenis have been living a bitter reality marked by landmines, hunger, and deprivation—direct consequences of the ongoing conflict that erupted following the Houthi coup against the legitimate government. The scale of the tragedy affecting every Yemeni household is now undeniable, as the country has become the scene of the world's largest humanitarian crisis, according to successive United Nations reports.
Historical context: The roots of the Yemeni crisis
The roots of this deep crisis can be traced back to late 2014, when the Houthi militia seized the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, and forcibly overthrew the legitimate state institutions. This military action led to the collapse of the internationally supported political transition process and plunged the country into a dark tunnel of civil war. With the intervention of the Arab Coalition in 2015 at the request of the legitimate government, the conflict escalated, resulting in widespread destruction of infrastructure and the near-total collapse of the Yemeni economy and its vital institutions.
Landmine danger: Death lurks for civilians
One of the most prominent and dangerous consequences for which civilians pay the price is the indiscriminate and widespread planting of landmines. International and local reports, including data from the MASAM project for clearing Yemeni landmines, indicate that Houthi militias have planted hundreds of thousands of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in villages, farms, and roads. These mines do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, and have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, causing permanent disabilities and amputations of limbs for thousands more, mostly women and children. This adds an enormous health and psychological burden to a society that lacks even the most basic healthcare.
Hunger and deprivation: economic and humanitarian collapse
In addition to the threat of death from landmine explosions, Yemenis face the specter of hunger and famine. The Houthi coup has led to the suspension of salaries for hundreds of thousands of government employees in areas under their control for years, depriving entire families of their sole source of income. This has been accompanied by a sharp decline in the value of the national currency and a dramatic rise in the prices of basic foodstuffs. World Food Programme statistics indicate that millions of Yemenis suffer from acute food insecurity and are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid for survival. The deprivation has extended to the education and health sectors, with millions of children dropping out of school and more than half of the health facilities completely out of service.
Local, regional and international impacts
Domestically, this tragic situation has led to the internal displacement of more than four million people living in camps lacking even the most basic necessities for a dignified life. Regionally, the Houthi coup and the ongoing war have posed a direct threat to the security of neighboring countries and the stability of the region, particularly with the targeting of civilian and economic infrastructure across borders. Internationally, the conflict has significantly impacted maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital artery for global trade, making the Yemeni crisis a matter of concern for the entire international community.
Conclusion: The urgent need for peace
In conclusion, the Yemeni citizen remains the first and last victim in this complex equation. Ending the hunger and deprivation and stopping the bloodshed caused by landmines requires genuine international pressure to reach a comprehensive and just political settlement that ends the coup, rebuilds state institutions, and guarantees the return of normal life for millions of Yemenis who have long awaited peace and security.
