Yemen war: Four years of crisis with no end in sight

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The war in Yemen over the last four years has devastated one of the Arab world's poorest countries. It began in early 2014 and has killed around 10,000 people so far.

The Houthis, an armed political movement, seized control of Saada province and neighboring areas in Yemen's north. Months later, they went on to take the capital Sanaa, forcing President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi into exile.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and eight other Arab states – backed by the U.S., UK, and France – declared war against the Houthis. They began air strikes with the declared aim of restoring the deposed president Hadi. Saudi Arabia says Iran backs the Houthis with weapons and funds, a charge Iran vehemently denies.

With support from the U.S. for airstrike targeting and plane refueling, the Saudi-led alliance has carried out more than 16,000 raids on Houthi-held areas.

Displaced Yemeni families wait to register their names in order to obtain a shelter in Hodeidah, June 21, 2018. /VCG Photo

Who controls what in Yemen ?

The Houthis control much of the country's densely populated west. But in August 2015, they lost the crucial southern port city of Aden to coalition forces. Hadi's backers established a temporary base in Aden, although the president himself remains in exile.

Pro-Hadi forces control the southern and northeastern parts of the country. The presence of Al-Qaeda in the west has further complicated the situation.

The UK, which backed the Saudi coalition in 2015, is now leading efforts for a cessation of violence.

Despite a grave humanitarian crisis, the United Nations has failed to bring the two warring sides to the negotiating table.

The world body aims to mediate long-awaited talks in Sweden this December.