The ongoing war or conflict in the Republic of Yemen is of long-standing yet hardly noticed by many in the west until the identification of growing al-Qaeda activity began to focus attention on the country. The basis of the conflict is opposition to the unification of North and South Yemen in 1994, agreed at the time, but increasingly resented by many in the south who see themselves marginalised politically, socially, culturally and economically by the government.

As this concise video documentary of the Yemen War explains, economic stagnation, rising unemployment and severe poverty in much of the south has been the focus of resentment towards the north. In return, the north accuses rebel groups in the south of being terrorists and in league with al-Qaeda. Whilst many in the south resent being branded as terrorists, there is little doubt that as the conflict continues and attacks take place on the south by government forces that many appear to be driven into al-Qaeda's embrace.

Now check out our Yemen profile pages with many images of Yemen here.

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