Saudi Arabia and the Yemen Conflict 

The most up-to-date information on Saudi Arabia’s role in the Yemen conflict is available in the April 2017 White Paper

Operation Renewal of Hope

In March 2015, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia responded to an appeal for assistance from Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi by forming an international coalition and launching military operations in support of the people of Yemen and the legitimate government of Yemen.

Despite repeated efforts by the GCC, G10 countries and the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary General to seek a peaceful transition of government in Yemen, the Houthis, a violent militia group that receives funding, training and weapons from Iran, have reneged on every agreement they have made and continue their quest to take over the country by violent means.

Saudi Arabia supports all efforts to end the Yemeni crisis. Saudi Arabia strongly rejects any foreign intervention in Yemen without a request from the legitimate government.

• All political factions in Yemen, including the Houthis, have a right to be part of the political process. Saudi Arabia has consistently supported a political solution in Yemen and has encouraged all factions to seek an agreement that preserves security and stability for Yemenis.
• The conflict was clearly incited by regional powers trying to intervene in the affairs of other countries by fomenting sedition and sectarianism in order to establish their hegemony and influence. It is clear that the Iranians are present in Yemen – supporting the Houthis, supplying them with weapons, and providing them with military experts.

Saudi Arabia has been the single-largest donor of humanitarian aid to Yemen, donating more than $540 million during the conflict. Saudi Arabia is providing humanitarian aid throughout Yemen, regardless of religion.

• In April 2015, in response to an appeal by the U.N., Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ordered the donation of $274 million to the U.N. to support its humanitarian efforts in Yemen.
• In May 2015, the Kingdom established the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works. The Kingdom also announced it will donate an additionally $267 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen, bringing the total to more than $540 million.

In 2016, the coalition announced the formation of a high-level independent committee to investigate the coalition’s actions in Yemen.

• The committee of experts will be tasked with assessing the coalition’s rules of ‎engagement involving citizens during this conflict.
• The committee will then provide the ‎coalition with conclusions and recommendations designed to ensure respect international and ‎humanitarian law. ‎
• The coalition also established ‎a hotline with Doctors Without Borders to protect its facilities and staff in Yemen. ‎
• The coalition has and will continue to take all precautions to protect civilians, medical ‎staff, humanitarian organizations and journalists in Yemen.

As part of the efforts made by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to find a peaceful solution in Yemen, satisfactory to both the legitimate government of Yemen on one hand and the Houthi militias and their supporters on the other, the Arab Coalition Command announced on 10 April 2016, in response to a call from Yemeni President Abdrabbou Mansour Hadi, that would commit to a cessation of hostilities in Yemen. The ceasefire allows for the supply of medical and relief supplies to war-stricken provinces and regions and supports the efforts of the United Nations to create a positive atmosphere to pave the way for the launch of consultations in Kuwait.