Casey Coombs

Seattle

Non-Resident Fellow @SanaaCenter and independent journalist focusing on Yemen (mostly the Houthis), where I was based 2012-15.

Articles

Politics and Diplomacy

2 months ago | sanaacenter.org | Casey Coombs

The year-long Houthi (Ansar Allah) campaign of military attacks on Red Sea shipping came to a halt on January 19, following news of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Houthi leader Abdelmalek al-Houthi announced a conditional suspension of the attacks on US- and UK-affiliated shipping as long as Western airstrikes in Yemen ceased. However, the group said Israeli-linked vessels would still be barred from Red Sea transit and threatened to resume attacks if the Gaza ceasefire deal was broken.
The Yemen Review Quarterly: January-March 2025

2 months ago | sanaacenter.org | Eleonora Ardemagni |Khaled Mukhtar |Sam Ali |Casey Coombs

Executive SummaryOn March 15, the US launched Operation Rough Rider, a massive expansion of its aerial campaign against the Houthi group (Ansar Allah). The strikes followed a Houthi threat to resume targeting Israeli ships due to the blockade of aid into Gaza on March 2. Strikes have been taking place continuously as of the time of writing.
Houthi Detentions Leave Stark Choices for Aid Sector

Feb 5, 2025 | sanaacenter.org | Casey Coombs |Ned Whalley

On January 23, the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) detained seven UN staff members working in Sana’a.[1] In response, the UN halted the movement of all staff working in Houthi-controlled territories[2] as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the UN workers’ immediate release.[3] But the incident is just the latest in a string of disappearances and detentions of UN, NGO, and civil society staff in Yemen, who are often held without charge and denied contact with lawyers or family...
Politics and Diplomacy

Feb 4, 2025 | sanaacenter.org | Casey Coombs

Houthis Seek to Fill Hezbollah Void, Pressure Riyadh, Stabilize Internal PoliticsIn response to dramatic regional developments stemming from the Gaza war and domestic pressure inside Yemen, the Houthis (Ansar Allah) pivoted on several fronts.
Politics and Diplomacy - The Yemen Review, - Sana'a Center For Strategic Studies

Oct 16, 2024 | sanaacenter.org | Casey Coombs

The Houthi Security and Intelligence Service has continued airing forced confessions by former employees of the US embassy in Sana’a, making increasingly outlandish claims of decades-long US spy operations in the country. The latest episodes, aired June 29, July 14, August 17, and September 1-2, focused on purported efforts to influence Yemeni culture, society, politics, and the education sector. Previous segments detailed alleged efforts to influence Yemen’s economy and agricultural sector.