Yemen: more than four years of war

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Saudi Arabia, whose oil installations have been targeted by drone attacks, launched military operations in Yemen in 2015, to help the government there push back against Huthi rebels.

On Tuesday the world's biggest oil exporter halted pumping at a major pipeline, following drone attacks west of Riyadh, hours after the rebels said they had targeted vital Saudi installations.

Here is a timeline of the more than four-year Yemen war:

- Saudi air strikes -

In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launches air strikes on the Shiite rebels, who had taken the capital Sanaa six months earlier and now controlled large swathes of Yemen.

The coalition of some 10 countries aims to restore to power the internationally recognised government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and to halt the rebels' advance on the south of the country.

The United States says it will provide logistical support and intelligence to the coalition.

On the same day, Hadi flees the southern city of Aden, where he had taken refuge, and goes to Saudi Arabia.

- Loyalist successes -

In late March, the coalition says it has knocked out the Iran-aligned rebels' air capabilities and that Yemen's airspace is totally under its control.

In July, Hadi's administration announces its forces have retaken the southern province of Aden in their first success since the coalition stepped in. Aden becomes Yemen's provisional capital.

By mid-August, loyalist forces have retaken five southern provinces.

In October, government forces reclaim control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's busiest and most strategically sensitive shipping routes.

Splits emerge in the rebel camp in 2017, resulting in the assassination of Hadi's predecessor and former Huthi ally, Ali Abdullah Saleh, by Huthi fighters in December.

- Rebel missiles and drones -

The rebels carry out several missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as sending drones. The coalition carries out air strikes aimed at neutralising the drones.

In early November 2017 Saudi Arabia intercepts and destroys a ballistic missile from Yemen close to Riyadh's international airport.

The coalition accuses Iran of what could amount to "an act of war". Tehran rejects the charges, in its turn accusing Riyadh of "war crimes" in Yemen.

In April 2019 rebel leader Abdelmalek al-Huthi says they have the capability to reach "major and strategic" targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

- Key aid port: offensive and truce -

In June 2018, government fighters, backed by Saudi and Emirati forces, launch an offensive on Hodeida, a vital entry point for the bulk of the country's food and aid.

The port city has been in rebel hands since October 2014, taken without opposition from government forces soon after rebels captured Sanaa.

In November, commanders from pro-government forces say they have received orders to halt operations against the rebels.

In December, UN chief Antonio Guterres announces a series of breakthroughs in Yemen peace talks held in Sweden, including a ceasefire for Hodeida. On the 18th, residents report the fighting has halted there.

On May 11, 2019 Yemeni rebels say they are set to begin a unilateral withdrawal from the ports of Hodeida, Salif and Ras Issa. On the 14th, the UN says rebels have handed the security of the three ports to the "coastguard".

- Worst humanitarian crisis -

The Yemen conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, the vast majority of them civilians, relief agencies say.

The fighting has triggered what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 3.3 million people still displaced from their homes and 24.1 million -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid in the Arabian peninsula's poorest country.

The war has led to increased pressure on European capitals, where non-governmental organisations and parliamentarians are calling for tighter controls on arms sales. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have recently announced $200 million (178 million euros) in aid to Yemen.