Houthi Armed Group
The Houthi Armed Group, officially known as Ansar Allah (Arabic: أنصار الله, meaning Supporters of God), is a Zaydi Shia political and militant movement based in northern Yemen. Originating in the 1990s as a religious revivalist group, it has evolved into one of the most powerful military and political actors in Yemen. The Houthis have been at the centre of the Yemeni Civil War since 2014, controlling much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sana’a, and opposing the internationally recognised Yemeni government and its Saudi-led coalition allies.
Historical Background and Origins
The Houthi movement traces its roots to Saada Governorate, a mountainous region in northern Yemen that has long been a heartland of Zaydi Shiism, a branch of Shia Islam distinct from the Twelver Shia tradition dominant in Iran. The movement’s founding figure, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, established the Believing Youth (al-Shabab al-Mu’min) in the 1990s. This organisation aimed to preserve Zaydi religious identity, promote political awareness, and resist the growing influence of Salafism and Wahhabism—Sunni ideologies spreading in Yemen with Saudi backing.
In the early 2000s, tensions between the Houthis and the Yemeni government under President Ali Abdullah Saleh intensified. Saleh accused the movement of seeking to restore the Zaydi Imamate, abolished after the 1962 Republican Revolution. The government’s attempt to suppress the group triggered a series of armed uprisings in Saada, collectively known as the Saada Wars (2004–2010).
Emergence as a Military and Political Power
After the killing of Hussein al-Houthi by government forces in 2004, leadership passed to his brother Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who remains the group’s leader. Despite repeated government offensives, the movement grew stronger, gaining military experience and expanding its territorial control.
The 2011 Arab Spring uprisings further reshaped Yemen’s political landscape. The fall of President Saleh created a power vacuum, and the Houthis capitalised on the ensuing instability. They participated initially in the National Dialogue Conference (2013–2014), which aimed to transition Yemen into a federal system, but later rejected the proposed federal boundaries, viewing them as marginalising northern regions.
The 2014 Takeover and Civil War
In September 2014, the Houthis seized control of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital, following months of protests over fuel subsidy cuts and allegations of government corruption. By early 2015, they had placed President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi under house arrest, forcing him to flee to Aden and later to Saudi Arabia.
In response, a Saudi-led military coalition, supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), launched Operation Decisive Storm in March 2015, aiming to restore Hadi’s government and roll back Houthi advances. The intervention escalated into a full-scale civil war involving regional powers and leading to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
Ideology and Objectives
The Houthi movement is ideologically grounded in Zaydi Shia Islam, traditionally more moderate than Twelver Shiism, but its political rhetoric has expanded to include strong anti-imperialist and anti-Western themes. The group’s slogan—often displayed on banners and weaponry—reads:
“God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse on the Jews, victory to Islam.”
The Houthis frame their struggle as resistance against foreign domination and corruption, positioning themselves as defenders of Yemen’s sovereignty and national dignity. While maintaining their Zaydi identity, they have cultivated close ties with Iran, receiving ideological, political, and military support, which has drawn accusations of being part of Iran’s regional “Axis of Resistance.”
Military Structure and Capabilities
Over the years, the Houthis have developed a sophisticated and disciplined military apparatus. Their forces comprise tens of thousands of fighters, including trained soldiers, tribal militias, and specialists in missile and drone operations. Key capabilities include:
- Ballistic and cruise missiles, many modified from Yemeni army stockpiles.
- Armed drones, used for reconnaissance and precision attacks on coalition infrastructure.
- Anti-aircraft and anti-ship weaponry, posing threats to maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
- Guerrilla and asymmetric warfare tactics, which have proven effective against better-equipped coalition forces.
These capabilities have enabled the Houthis to launch attacks deep into Saudi and Emirati territory, targeting oil facilities and airports, as well as to disrupt shipping near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical global trade route.
Relations with Iran and Regional Involvement
Although the Houthis deny being Iranian proxies, their relationship with Tehran is widely acknowledged. Iran has provided political backing, advisory support, and technological assistance, particularly in missile and drone development. The alliance has strategic importance for Iran, offering it a foothold along the Red Sea and a means to pressure Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis’ alignment with Iran also places them within a broader regional coalition that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shia militias in Iraq, and Syrian government forces. This has amplified fears among Gulf states and Western powers of an expanding Iranian influence across the Middle East.
Governance and Administration in Controlled Areas
Since taking control of Sana’a, the Houthis have established a parallel state structure. They control ministries, manage taxation, and operate a security apparatus known as the Supreme Political Council, in alliance with remnants of the former Saleh regime (until Saleh’s death in 2017).
The group enforces strict social and religious policies in areas under its control, imposing censorship and regulating public life. Critics accuse the Houthis of authoritarian governance, human rights abuses, arbitrary detentions, and repression of dissent. Nonetheless, they maintain administrative order in much of northern Yemen, where state institutions have otherwise collapsed.
Humanitarian and Economic Impact
The conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition has devastated Yemen’s economy and infrastructure. Airstrikes, blockades, and internal fighting have led to widespread famine, disease outbreaks, and displacement. The United Nations describes Yemen’s crisis as one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history.
The Houthis have been accused of obstructing aid delivery, diverting resources, and recruiting child soldiers, while coalition airstrikes have caused extensive civilian casualties. The humanitarian catastrophe remains a defining feature of the war.
International Recognition and Designations
Internationally, the Houthis are not recognised as the legitimate government of Yemen. The United Nations and most states recognise the Presidential Leadership Council, established in 2022, as the lawful authority.
Several countries, including the United States, have designated the Houthis as a terrorist organisation at various times, citing attacks on civilians and maritime targets. However, such designations have been periodically lifted or revised due to humanitarian concerns.
Contemporary Developments
In recent years, the Houthis have maintained their hold over northern Yemen despite ongoing conflict and intermittent peace efforts. They have continued to engage in UN-mediated negotiations, while sustaining military pressure along frontlines in Marib, Taiz, and the western coast.
Amid regional realignments, including the Saudi–Iran rapprochement in 2023, diplomatic efforts to end the war have gained some traction. The Houthis have also intensified their involvement in Red Sea attacks linked to broader regional tensions, particularly following conflicts involving Israel and its allies.
Significance and Legacy
The Houthi Armed Group has transformed from a marginal religious movement into a dominant political-military power shaping Yemen’s future. It exemplifies the intersection of sectarian identity, regional rivalry, and national collapse. The group’s endurance reflects the failure of external intervention to resolve Yemen’s internal divisions and the complex interplay of local grievances and global geopolitics.
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