JUDY WOODRUFF: This week, we brought you a rare, disturbing, and important look at the
desperate situation behind rebel lines in Yemen.
But just who are those Houthi rebels, and how closely aligned are they to Iran?
It is that question that has driven American involvement in the war, supporting a Saudi-led
coalition fighting the rebels.
Special correspondent Jane Ferguson smuggled herself across the front lines in Yemen.
And here, in the third and final report of the series, we look at these important questions
behind the world's worst current humanitarian disaster.
JANE FERGUSON: In the streets of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, chants of "Death to America" are loud
and clear.
The anger here runs deep.
These rebels, known as Houthis, seized control of Sanaa City and much of the north of the
country in 2014.
They are of Yemen's Zaydi sect and closest to Shia Islam.
Their growing power caused alarm across the border in Sunni Saudi Arabia, so the Saudis
formed a coalition of Arab countries to defeat them, a coalition backed by the United States.
Over the last three years, a campaign of intensive airstrikes and a ground war has brought the
country to its knees, but hasn't pushed back the Houthis.
America's help with that campaign has driven bitter resentment here.
ISSAM AL DALAMY, Houthi Supporter: The weapons, they come from the United States.
Mr. Obama or the other presidents said, OK, we will help Saudi Arabia for the war in Sanaa.
And the new one, Trump, he said, we will support our friend.
What does it mean?
He is supporting them to kill us.
JANE FERGUSON: The U.S. sells the Saudis and their coalition partners billions of dollars
worth of bombs and provides intelligence and logistical support.
Saudi jets are refueled midair by American planes between bombing missions.
The Saudis and the United States say the Houthis are puppets for Tehran, a proxy form of Iranian
military power right on Saudi Arabia's doorstep.
The Houthi supporters fervently deny this.
The Saudis and the Americans say, Iran is here.
ISSAM AL DALAMY: Yes.
JANE FERGUSON: Is this true?
ISSAM AL DALAMY: It's not true.
Where is Iran?
He is Yemeni.
All of us Yemeni.
Where is Iran?
Iran is a country.
Let them to go to Iran and start fight with Iran.
Here, Yemen.
JANE FERGUSON: Politically, the Houthis most closely aligned reflect with Iran's proxy
force in Lebanon, Hezbollah, and share an intense hatred for Israel.
The group denies any formal partnership.
Since taking control of the capital, Sanaa, their extremist slogan can been seen everywhere,
including here on the ancient walls of the old city: "God is great, death to America,
death to Israel, curse the Jews."
Hatred of Saudi Arabia also bonds the Houthis to Iran.
The Houthis regularly fire long-range ballistic missiles across Saudi Arabia's southern border
and towards the capital.
The Saudis say those are provided by Iran and have imposed a tight blockade on all sea
and air surrounding Houthi-controlled areas to prevent missiles from coming in.
The Houthis told the "NewsHour" they took the missiles from Yemen's military arsenal
when they captured Sanaa.
Salim Moghalis is a member of the Houthis' political wing.
SALIM MOGHALIS, Member of Ansar Allah (through translator): The Yemeni people and army have
missiles from the past.
And the army and experts were able to improve and upgrade these missiles, which is necessary.
We are able to produce all sorts of arms, so they can upgrade the old weapons to have
longer ranges.
JANE FERGUSON: Beyond the politics, this war has created the world's worst humanitarian
disaster.
Millions are on the brink of starvation, and the worst cholera outbreak in modern history
rages on.
After three years of war, people here are weary of the airstrikes and the blockade,
but they also tell us they believe America could end it.
In Sanaa's market, people are hopeful for an end to the crisis soon.
ABU MOHAMMED, Yemen (through translator): Since America has the biggest position in
the U.N., it should have pushed for political and economic resolutions to the conflict.
Look, now the people are almost dead.
Poverty, hunger, disease, death, injuries, and on top of all that, the warplanes are
hitting us.
JANE FERGUSON: Meanwhile, efforts by some to end the U.S.' support for the Saudis continue.
A bipartisan group of senators, including Vermont independent Bernie Sanders, failed
to get a resolution passed in March which aimed to limit the White House's authority
to get involved in this war.
SEN.
BERNIE SANDERS (I), Vermont: We think that, in fact, this war is an authorized, and it
is in fact unconstitutional.
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution is pretty clear.
It's the United States Congress that declares war.
The president cannot do what he wants unilaterally.
The president doesn't have the authority.
JANE FERGUSON: President Trump enjoys warm relations with the Saudis, especially the
country's powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
The White House is currently pushing for further arms sales of precision-guided missiles to
the kingdom.
Some fellow Republicans argue the Saudis deserve America's support in this war.
Idaho Republican James Risch sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
SEN.
JAMES RISCH (R), Idaho: The Iranians are in there and they are causing the difficulty
that's there.
If the Iranians would back off, I have no doubt that the Saudis will back off.
But the Saudis have the absolute right to defend themselves.
JANE FERGUSON: To others, it's not America's job to defend a nation that doesn't reflect
its values.
SEN.
BERNIE SANDERS: I don't know that I have ever participated in a vote which says that the
United States must be an ally to Saudi's militaristic ambitions.
This is a despotic regime which treats women as third-class citizens.
There are no elections there.
They have their own goals and their own ambitions.
JANE FERGUSON: American support for Saudi Arabia is a major propaganda tool for the
Houthis, who frame their war here as a form of jihad against the U.S., a religious battle.
But it's a battle that neither side is winning, regardless of who America helps.
Instead, the conflict is defined most clearly by those who are losing, the civilians, struggling
to live with its consequences.
For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Jane Ferguson in Sanaa, Yemen.