Lauren: Crash Course on Sunni - Shia Tensions

 

Sunni-Shia split: What it is and why it’s important

The Sunni-Shia split is an important religious divide that shapes and colors several conflicts in Western Asia, including the crisis in Yemen. Following the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims split into two different sects -- the Sunni, who believed Abu Bakr should succeed as the next caliphate, and the Shia, who believed Ali was the rightful successor to lead the Islamic faith. This division has been sustained through to the modern day, fostering animosity and playing into various conflicts.

A map from the synopsis has been attached below to give you an idea of how this division plays out within a broader geological context.

In the context of the Yemen crisis, the Sunni-Shia divide has been particularly prominent. Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, the second President of the Republic of Yemen, led a Sunni-majority government, which has since been destabilized by the actions of the Houthi Rebel Group, a Shia Muslim group. This has been a major source of animosity between these two internal players, and it is important to understand this rift when crafting solutions. 

However, this division extends beyond internal actors, and it has shaped the motivations and actions of influential foreign powers as well. One major player that has been instrumental in the fight against the Houthi Rebel Group has been Saudi Arabia and, consequently, the Saudi-led coalition. A primarily Sunni country, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated religious and political interest in preserving the government led by Ali Abdulla Saleh and, later, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. On the other hand, Iran is a primarily Shia country, and Yemeni officials have accused this country of supporting the Houthi Rebel Movement in its struggle against a Sunni government.

With Saudi Arabia and Iran supporting different sides of the conflict, the crisis in Yemen has been labelled a proxy war in some respects. Though Saudi Arabia and Iran do not engage directly, their roles in the conflict play into larger power struggles, each of which are interrelated with the historical Sunni-Shia divide. In this way, the crisis in Yemen extends beyond immediate fighting and humanitarian crises, and it can be placed within the context of much broader religious and political conflicts. 

When approaching the topic of the crisis in Yemen, it is essential to understand these religious divisions and how they have played out over the course of the conflict. By understanding this difference, you will not only be able to understand your own country’s position with greater clarity, but you will be able to create much more effective solutions that speak to the specificity of the topic at hand.

Lauren Harvey