Sana’a – Yemen today marks the eleventh anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital Sana’a, a pivotal moment that plunged the country into one of the world’s most protracted and devastating conflicts. On September 21, 2014, Houthi fighters stormed key government institutions, effectively ousting the internationally recognized government and triggering a nationwide collapse of state authority.

Eleven years on, the repercussions of the coup continue to shape Yemen’s political, humanitarian, and economic landscape. The country remains divided between rival administrations, with the Houthis controlling much of the north and the internationally backed government operating from the south.

The conflict has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, displaced millions, and left over 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite intermittent peace talks and regional mediation efforts, a comprehensive political settlement remains elusive.

In recent months, tensions have escalated amid renewed clashes, economic fragmentation, and restrictions on humanitarian access. Rights groups have also documented widespread abuses in Houthi-controlled areas, including arbitrary detentions, press censorship, and the use of child soldiers.