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● Yemen is a strategically important member of the community of nations:
○ Population of 26.7 million (July 2015 est.)
○ 54% below poverty line;
○ Age structure: 62% under the age of 24; 31% between the ages of 25-54
○ 33% unemployment rate among youth between 15-24
● Yemen is dominated by several tribal confederations that play a powerful political and cultural role in Yemeni society. Each includes tribes, clans and extended families.
○ According to an October 2015 report, “Tribal leaders are local rulers that often have more say in the everyday lives of average people than government officials. Tribal leaders are able to maintain this power in part because they are often themselves government representatives and/or religious leaders.”
Strategic Objective: Challenge Houthi threat to regional security and Iranian aggression on the Arabian Peninsula
● Houthi insurgency destabilizing Yemen:
○ Long history of insurgency
○ Access to Saleh and Iranian resources
○ Activating sectarian and extremist ideology
Strategic Objective: Challenge Houthi threat to regional security and Iranian aggression on the Arabian Peninsula (Continued)
● Due to cross border attacks by Houthi rebels:
○ June 6: A SCUD missile targeted Khamees Mushait, Saudi Arabia in the kingdom's southwest region and home to the largest air force base in southern Saudi Arabia. The SCUD was intercepted by two Patriot missiles, a statement by the Saudi military said.