Yemen confrontation (21st Century Crisis)

The Yemen confrontation (Russian: Конфликт Йемена, Arabic: المواجهة اليمنية) was a hot military conflict between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Russia was providing support to the established government of Yemen, while Saudi Arabia was providing support to Muslim Brotherhood-supported opposition.

In March of 2011, Saudi Arabia issued warnings, as well as demands to Russia to withdraw from Yemen. However, Russia refused, and President Dmitry Medvedev ordered Russian forces in Yemen to stand their ground. Both countries initially poured in their forces.

Saudi Arabia had the advantage due its close proximity to Yemen, and carried out the first waves of attacks against Russian and Yemeni forces. Russia initially sustained a lot of damage, however as in the past, after full mobilization, Russia managed to successfully send reinforcements into Yemen.

The conflict ended with the Russian-Yemeni capture of Sana'a. On June 3, 2011, Saudi Arabia announced that it would withdraw from Yemen.