Nearly three years ago, the country plunged into an armed conflict, with Houthi forces fighting to seize power from the internationally-recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who is supported by a Saudi-led coalition. Forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh (who was removed from power following street protests in 2011) had fought with the Houthis, until Saleh changed his position and called for dialogue with Saudi Arabia.