Peace Remains Distant Prospect as Civilians Suffer

By Robert Richer

Robert Richer served as a former Associate Deputy Director for Operations at the CIA.  He retired in 2005 and before his retirement he also served as Chief of the Near East and South Asia Division, responsible for Clandestine Service Operations throughout the Middle East and South Asia. Mr. Richer currently consults on Middle East and national security issues and is a senior partner with International Advisory Partners.

Civil war in Yemen has dragged on for approximately three years with no end in sight. Forces loyal to Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have essentially fought the Iranian-backed Houthi opposition to a stalemate, while a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the country is ongoing. The Cipher Brief’s Bennett Seftel sat down with Rob Richer, former Associate Deputy Director for Operations (ADDO) at the CIA who was stationed in Yemen for two years, to discuss battlefield dynamics in Yemen as well as prospects for peace.

The Cipher Brief: What is the current status of the battle between Houthi forces and government forces loyal to Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi?

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