Horizons XXI to discuss Yemen's conflict

Horizons XXI, a monthly program on the independent media platform Au Poste, will explore the complex situation in Yemen on October 21 at 9 a.m. The discussion will examine the evolution of the Yemeni conflict since 2014, including the Houthi takeover, the Saudi-led coalition's war, and the country's entanglement in regional and global conflicts, such as the Gaza genocide and the war against Iran.

Panelists include experts on Yemen and the Middle East

The program will be presented by Sarra Grira, editor-in-chief of Orient XXI, and will feature Khaled Al-Khaled, a Franco-Yemeni journalist and researcher, and Laurent Bonnefoy, a researcher at the Centre de recherches internationales (CERI) at Sciences Po Paris, specializing in Islamist movements in the Arabian Peninsula.

Sectarian tensions in Yemen are not constant

In previous articles, Bonnefoy discussed the often-mischaracterized sectarian dimension of the Yemeni conflict, noting that while it is a component of the Houthi struggle, it has been unevenly activated throughout the war. He suggested that sectarian tensions appear to be resurging as violence escalates.

Houthi strategy shifts in 2026

Another article by Helen Lackner, dated September 28, mentioned that since the Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran in February 2026, the Houthi movement had hesitated to engage. However, in the summer of 2026, they severed their formal military strategy from that of Iran and launched an operation to capture areas near the strategic Bab El-Mandeb Strait, at the expense of Saudi Arabia.

Yemen's overlooked crisis garners renewed attention

Alexandre Lauret, in an article from March 2025, noted that after ten years of war, Yemen remains overlooked, its society largely unknown. However, recent Houthi military actions in the Red Sea and even in Israel have shifted some attention back to the country.

Rami Abou Jamous discusses Gaza's ongoing crisis

Rami Abou Jamous, a correspondent for Orient XXI based in Gaza, was a guest on the Arrêt sur Images program discussing the "Ceasefire in Gaza: Another Media Reality." Abou Jamous has written extensively for Orient XXI about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, including his personal experiences of displacement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Gaza's situation worsens despite reduced media coverage

In an article from November 2025, Abou Jamous described his return to Gaza with his family after the ceasefire breakdown in March 2025. In another piece from May 2025, he emphasized that despite reduced Western media coverage, the genocide continues. In July 2025, he discussed the worsening situation in Gaza, including the deaths of loved ones and the reduction of humanitarian aid.

Criticism of media coverage in France

An investigation by Acrimed and Orient XXI criticized France Info for its coverage of the Palestinian situation since October 7, 2023, suggesting that the media outlet's reporting was dominated by an Israeli perspective and Western-centric framing.

Press freedom concerns in Israel

Israel has also been criticized for refusing entry to the envoy of L'Humanité, a French newspaper, for covering the October 27 legislative elections. Orient XXI supported L'Humanité in this matter, calling the decision an impediment to press freedom.

Call for leftist unity in France

A call to action by Jewish individuals in France expressed concern over the rise of far-right, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. They emphasized the need for a leftist rupture in the upcoming presidential election, advocating for a universalist and humanist approach to justice and equality.

Other topics covered by Orient XXI

Other articles covered the situation in Burkina Faso, the legacy of Thomas Sankara under Ibrahim Traoré, and historical events in France, Morocco, and Iran. A documentary titled Naza was highlighted for its exposure of Israeli soldiers' testimonies regarding the genocide in Gaza. Additionally, a book titled Requiem for Gaza was noted for its account of Palestinian families fleeing the conflict.