Saudi occupation of Yemen

The Saudi occupation of Yemen, also known as the Saudi-Yemeni War in historiography and called Riyadh's War Against Yemen by Yemeni historians, was a military occupation of territory within the Islamic Republic of Yemen by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that occurred in the aftermath of the Yemeni Civil War. It was part of the Middle Eastern Cold War and saw clashes between the Islamic Republic of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Yemen was supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran and other anti-Saudi groups during this period, while Saudi Arabia was supported by the United States of America and other American allies. Various anti-Saudi rebellions occurred in Saudi controlled territory during this time period.
== Nature of the occupation ==
Saudi Arabia's occupation was characterized by major political and religious oppression. Large swaths of Yemeni territory were militarily occupied by the military of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's army was used as a police force and saw all political opponents and anti-Saudi protesters executed for treason. With such oppression occurring, it was common for average Yemeni civilians to flee underground and join partisan movements such as the Anti-Saudi League and its various affiliated movements. Captured members of the Anti-Saudi League were executed on sight for 'treason' and 'terrorism' against the 'laws of Riyadh'. Shia Muslims, civilian or not, were commonly arrested, executed, murdered, and tortured by the Saudi occupational forces. Due to this, the Anti-Saudi League was mostly made up of Shias and socialist Sunnis. Saudi Arabia stated there occupation to be a "temporary provisisonal military junta that will stablize the country so President Hadi may reclaim power". However, ex-President Hadi was recognized as a 'terrorist' and 'traitor' by the new Shia government of Yemen.
== List of incidents ==
The occupation of Yemeni territory by Saudi Arabia saw many military incidents, clashes, and battles occur in Yemeni territory. Minor clashes on Saudi territory, although uncommon, did occur,
* Raid of Aden: On 3 April 2023, Yemeni military forces raided the port city of Aden and attacked Saudi occupational forces.
* Bombing of Saada: On 17 May 2023, the historically significant and pro-Shia Yemeni government city of Saada was bombed by rockets fired from Saudi territory. Thousands were killed according to the Yemeni government.
* Assault on Midi: On 26 May 2023, the Saudi-occupied city of Midi in Yemen was attacked and captured by Yemeni government forces. 17 Saudi soldiers were killed according to the Yemeni government. The Saudi government denied the fall of the city.
* June Sanaa Shellings: On 7 June 2023, Saudi forces positioned in occupied Yemeni territory fired artillery shells upon the Yemeni capital of Saana. This trigerred the government of Yemen to threaten declaring war on Saudi Arabia and the 2023 Sanaa Truce being signed.
== International reactions ==
=== Pro-occupation reactions ===
* French Republic - While France never militarily supported Saudi Arabia's occupation, the French government defended Saudi Arabia diplomatically from Iranian criticism.
* United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - The British Parliament announced they supported Saudi Arabia's "measures taken for self-defense" in early May 2023, however refused to ellaborate on why. The British admitted to funding Saudi troops after the occupation ended.
* United States of America - In December 2023, the US federal government published their first statement on the Saudi occupation, saying, "Due to illegal control over Yemeni territory the Houthi terrorists have, we recognize the need for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect their territorial integrity and send in self-defense forces to Yemen." The US had been supplying the Saudi military prior to this statement and continued to for the duration of the conflict.
=== Neutral reactions ===
=== Anti-occupation reactions ===
Category:World of Shattering