Clashes between Houthi rebels, government forces, a Saudi-led military coalition, and Al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula have turned Yemen into a living a war zone. Despite this, most headlines today center around conflict in Iraq and Syria, its role as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the ongoing struggle between Turkey and the Kurds. Consequently, when reports of potential human rights abuses, violations of the laws of war, or massive civilian casualties in Yemen make news reports, they are pushed to the side.

This dearth in media coverage is not for want of newsworthy issues. The bombing of hospitals in violation of international law, sectarian conflict between factions, the involvement of international military contractors and mercenary groups, hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and millions more without access to adequate food or water resources all make the conflict incredibly salient for the international community. Compare this to the conflict in Syria. The refugee crisis is front and center in American and European media coverage and discussions of the West’s fight against Daesh dominate the front page.

Some might argue the West’s involvement in the Syrian civil war drives the subsequent media coverage. Yet it would be wrong to suggest the West is a mere onlooker to the Yemeni civil war. The United States has sold arms and provided Saudi Arabia with intelligence to conduct its operations. US Central Command even assists Saudi Arabia in selecting targets for airstrikes. The UK is no different, having sold £2.95 billion of military equipment in the first nine months of 2015 alone.

It is important to note that Saudi Arabia has been at the center of criticism by human rights groups. Its disproportionate use of military force, attacks on civilians, and use of mercenary forces make it an appropriate target for media criticism. Yet, the lack of widespread condemnation signals a potential reluctance to criticize a US partner in its Yemeni war effort. Even when Saudi Arabia is criticized, media reports often omit important information. In August, when Saudi Arabian warplanes bombed a water bottling facility in Aden, outlets consistently neglected to mention US financial and military technological support for the Saudi-led coalition.

This is not to say the lack of coverage is solely an attempt to gloss over America’s role in Yemen’s civil war. Other factors greatly complicate reporting on Yemen’s civil strife. Journalists have been targeted by multiple groups, with 10 killed and 14 imprisoned since the conflict started. Yemen’s lack of widespread internet connectivity makes it even more difficult to get on-the-ground information. Moreover, the number and variety of factions involved in Yemen’s civil war make it difficult to explain. But these issues have not deterred efforts to understand and cover the Syrian conflict. The issues in Yemen are grave and require international attention. The situation’s complexity and its implications about Western involvement in the Middle East make it all the more important to discuss.