The Fight for Yemen

Review by Gray Farris

The Short 

Journalist and producer, Safa Al Ahmad, goes beyond the headlines and takes viewers on the power struggle between Al Qaeda and Houthi rebels in Yemen. Frontline covers Yemen in depth with this documentary that focuses on the early days of the conflict and provides context for the viewer.

The Long 

The Fight for Yemen is a detailed documentary. Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war that has been exposed to both internal and external factors. This piece provides an on-the-ground perspective with unedited events often left outside of mainstream newsrooms. Focusing on the actors in the conflict, Frontline moves beyond battle lines to behind enemy lines so the viewer can understand what is motivating all sides. The narrator is able to weave the narrative of both the domestic (Al Qaeda, Houthis, Yemeni government, and tribal fighters) and international actors (Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Daesh) who have a stake in the outcome on the end of the Arabian Peninsula.

To watch or not to watch? 

Released in 2015, this documentary is helpful in outlining the background of the conflict in Yemen. While not up-to-date, it addresses actors who are still present in the conflict, such as the militant groups. The presentation overall, like all Frontline documentaries, are littered with experts and stakeholders in the conflict aiding the viewer through complex issues.