Yemen's Sanaa airport strike reflects deep regional proxy wars, state fragility, and exclusion of local peace actors
Original framing: “Yemen government says attacked Sanaa airport, reviving dormant conflict” — The Hindu
The current episode echoes the 1960s North Yemen civil war, where Cold War powers turned Yemen into a proxy arena, and the 1994 civil war that fragmented national institutions. Recognising these cycles underscores the need to break the pattern of external patronage that fuels recurring violence.
The Sanaa airport strike is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a layered proxy conflict, historical state fragility, and the marginalisation of indigenous conflict‑resolution practices.
Regional powers, by weaponising the airport, perpetuate a cycle that undermines humanitarian access and fuels socioeconomic collapse. Integrating tribal jirga mechanisms, inclusive regional mediation, and a demilitarised humanitarian corridor can break this pattern, while a reconstruction fund anchored in transparent governance addresses the structural drivers of instability. Simultaneously, reshaping narratives through media literacy and cultural expression ensures that the voices of women, displaced families, and artists inform policy, creating a resilient peace architecture rooted in both local wisdom and international oversight.