Unit 4 AOS 2 - Global Crises Flashcards
Houthi Rebels
- Years of Operation
- Countries of Operation
- Facilitators
Years of Operation: 1994 onwards (armed in 2004)
Countries of Operation: Yemen
Facilitators: Iran, Hezbollah
Houthi Rebels (Cause - Iran’s Involvement)
- Used as a pawn in Iran’s proxy war against Saudi Arabia
- Funded by Iran in order to preoccupy Saudi Arabia in Yemen
- Kept armed and in operation by Iran
Houthi Rebels (Cause - President Accusation)
- Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh
- Massive financial corruption
- Too friendly with Saudi Arabia and United States
Houthi Rebels (Aims)
- To bring down the pro-Saudi government in Yemen
- To bring down the state of Israel
Houthi Rebels (Ma’Rib Drone Attack)
(2020) Drone and missile attack on military camp near Ma’Rib, 111 killed
Houthi Rebels (Jizan Airport Missile Attacks)
(2019) Fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jizan airport, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted at least six of the missiles, dozens killed and wounded
Houthi Rebels (Iran’s Response)
- Iran funds the Houthi rebels, keeping them armed and in operation
- Iranian advisers help the rebels to use the sophisticated guided missiles fired at the US Navy
Houthi Rebels (United Nations’ Response)
- Resolution 2216: Demanded Houthis withdraw from occupied areas, relinquish all seized arms and embargoed all arms sales to Houthis
Houthi Rebels (Challenges to Conflict Resolution)
- Saudi Arabia has US-backing meaning they have the resources to prolong the war as long as it takes to defeat the Houthis
- The ongoing proxy war where both Saudi Arabia and Iran are trying to gain control in Yemen would have to reach a resolution before the Yemen problem could
Boko Haram
- Years of Operation
- Countries of Operation
- Facilitators
Years of Operation: violent since 2010 (founded in 2002)
Countries of Operation: Nigeria
Facilitators: Al Qaeda
Boko Haram (Cause - Westernisation of Nigeria)
- Boko Haram’s founders are critical of western nations
- They blame North-South disparities on western influence (eg. 72% of the north are impoverished vs only 27% in the south)
- They blame western influence for the less extreme Muslim culture in Nigeria
Boko Haram (Cause - Mohammad Yusuf)
- Founder of Boko Haram
- Provided social services to the poor people living in Borno, as the government had been neglecting this area
- Opened a mosque and school where his ideology was taught
- Thus, people were more inclined to support Yusuf and his beliefs
Boko Haram (January 2015 attack)
Boko Haram’s largest attack. More than 3100 buildings were damaged, while a further 670 were burned, 2000 people killed
Boko Haram (Schoolgirl Kidnappings)
(April 2014) Boko Haram members kidnapped 276 girls from a boarding school in the town of Chibok
Boko Haram (MNJTF’s Response)
- Multi-National Joint Task Force
- Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad operate in the 4 designated sectors that Nigeria is split up in
- Consists of about 11150 soldiers
- Goal is to eliminate Boko Haram and facilitate the stabilisation of areas affected by the terrorist group
Boko Haram (Challenges to Conflict Resolution)
- The MNJTF is underfunded because the Lake Chad Basin Commission, which founded the MNJTF in 2015, allocated a $700 million budget but they have only received less than 50% of the promised funds
- The MNJTF is focusing primarily of military action and neglecting the root causes of Boko Haram (eg. lack of education in the region)
Boko Haram (Aims)
- Establish an Islamic State under Sharia law in Nigeria
- Impose Islamic rule beyond Nigeria
Yemini Civil War (Cause - Iran’s Involvement)
- Houthi rebels are used as a pawn in Iran’s proxy war against Saudi Arabia
- Funded by Iran in order to preoccupy Saudi Arabia in Yemen
- Kept armed and in operation by Iran
Yemini Civil War (Cause - President Accusation)
- Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh
- Massive financial corruption
- Too friendly with Saudi Arabia and United States
Yemini Civil War (Ma’Rib Drone Attack)
(2020) Drone and missile attack on military camp near Ma’Rib, 111 killed
Yemeni Civil War (Jizan Airport Missile Attacks)
(2019) Fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jizan airport, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted at least six of the missiles, dozens killed and wounded
Yemeni Civil War (Important Parties)
- Houthi Rebels backed by Iran
- Hadi Government backed by Saudi Arabia
Yemini Civil War (United Nations’ Response)
- UNSC Resolution 2216 (demanded Houthis withdraw from occupied areas, relinquish all seized arms, embargoed all arms sales to Houthis)
- Facilitated the Stockholm Agreement: including a ceasefire and redeployment of forces, facilitating the movement of humanitarian aid and prisoner swaps
- UNSC Resolution 2451 (organised a Special Political Mission to help implement the Stockholm Agreement and monitor peace around Hodeidah)
Yemini Civil War (Challenges to Resolution)
- Proxy-war status and arms trade fuelling violence
- Lack of established legitimacy by any one government
Syrian Civil War (Causes)
- Sectarian Society
- Government Repression
Syrian Civil War (Damascus Bombing)
(2012) There was a double suicide bombing at a military base in Damascus. 55 dead and 400 injured. The Syrian government blamed the opposition whereas the opposition said that the government staged the attack to discredit them. The Nusrah Front, an Islamist extremist group operating in Syria, released a video, claiming responsibility for the bombings. However, days later, spokesmen for the Nusrah Front claimed that the video was forged and denied any responsibility for the attack.
Syrian Civil War (Turkey’s Jab)
2019: Turkey launched an offensive into the Kurdish north-east region of Syria, days after the US said it would not fight in such an incursion.
Syrian Civil War (Important Parties)
- Syrian Government
- Syrian Rebels
- ISIS
- Kurds
Syrian Civil War (United Nations’ Response)
The UNSC passed Resolution 2118 in 2013, demanding the destruction of all of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile
Syrian Civil War (Iran’s Response)
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei spoke in favour of the Syrian government in regard to the uprising - “In Syria, the hand of America and Israel is evident” and “Wherever a movement is Islamic, populist and anti-US, we support it.” Allegedly Iran sent the Syrian government $9 billion to help it withstand the sanctions.
Syrian Civil War (Challenges to Resolution)
- Stubborn ISIS resistance
- America didn’t pick a side
Crisis Diplomacy
Negotiations between actors in the global political arena in response to an immediate crisis. This most commonly concerns conflicts and natural, but also economic and health crises.
International Cooperation
Occasions when global actors work together to achieve common ideals and goals.
Globalisation
The acceleration and intensification of exchange of goods, services, labour and capital, which promote global interdependence. These have been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology.
Unilateralism
The policy of a state acting alone in pursuit of their national interests and/or in response to a global crisis.
