Understanding the Downfall of “Arabia Felix”: Tribes and Economic Turmoil in Yemen
Understanding the Downfall of “Arabia Felix”: Tribes and Economic Turmoil in Yemen

Summary/Abstract: Portraying the recent civil war in Yemen simply as a sectarian clash between Zaidi Houthis and the Sunni central government or a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran is overly simplistic. This explanation leaves out many other domestic and foreign actors as well as micro scale conflicts. Once regarded as “Arabia Felix” (Happy Arabia), Yemen gradually became infamous for its repeated insurgencies, coups and civil wars. Although it has never been easy to interpret the complex dynamics of Yemen’s problems, it can be argued that today’s multidimensional issues in Yemen mostly stem from various tribal aspirations and long-standing economic grievances. Economy is also a significant determinant behind foreign states’ participation or non-participation in the Yemeni crisis. In the end, it is terrorism, which feeds upon the disintegration of tribal system and economic plight, which are major concerns for both Sunnis and Shias alike.

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