The Crisis in Yemen Takes a Turn for the Worse

An internally displaced woman and her daughter look over the city of Sana'a, Yemen, from the roof of this dilapidated building they call their new home. Photo: Giles Clarke/UN OCHA

Yemen is already the world's worst humanitarian crisis and it appears that the situation is poised to deteriorate even further.  At issue is a decision by Saudi Arabia to impose a blockade on the country--a move that was announced amid a significant shakeup in Saudi politics.

This blockade could have a profoundly devastating impact on the situation in Yemen, where nearly the entire population is affected by an ongoing conflict that is pitting an Iran-backed rebel group against the Saudi-backed government. The rebel group controls much of northern part of the country, including the capitol Sana’a and the largest port, Hodeidah. Saudi Arabia (with American backing) controls all sea and air lanes around the country.

Yemen is already the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with 7 million facing starvation and…