The Houthis (or formally known as Ansar Allah) are a significant military movement in Yemen with deep historical roots and complex yet powerful allies. Despite only being a proxy and not considered as a conventional military, this organisations reach is intercontinental, possessing weaponry that is capable of striking targets hundreds of miles away.
The Houthis History
The Houthis originate from the Zaydi Shia sect who’s presence has been seen in Yemen for over a millennium. The Zaydis ruled parts of Yemen for centuries and faced numerous challenges over the centuries, including internal problems and external pressures. The Ottoman Empire's attempts to take control over Yemen in the 16th and 19th centuries weakened the Zaydi state. However, despite this the Imamate persisted. The final blow came in the 1962 North Yemen Civil War.
The Zaydi Imamate based in Northern Yemen played a significant role in the country’s history, blending their religious and political authority. However, fast forward to 1990, the Houthi movement was founded by Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a Zaydi religious leader.
Initially, the group focused on promoting Zaydi identity and resisting perceived marginalization by Yemen’s government and the influence of Saudi Arabia's Wahhabism.
Formation and Ideology
The movement formally emerged in the early 2000s, named after Hussein al-Houthi. It initially began as a religious revivalist group, but gradually became more militant, especially after the Yemeni government cracked down on them.
The Houthis combine Zaydi religious beliefs with anti-imperialist beliefs. They oppose what they see as Western and Saudi influence in Yemen and the Middle East as a whole. Their slogan reflects this: "God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse on the Jews, victory to Islam."
The movement is highly based under the leadership of Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. It has managed to developed a structured military wing and a political wing, allowing it to function as a militant organization and a political entity.
In areas under their control, the Houthis have established proper government structures, providing public services and enforcing law and order. This has helped them gain legitimacy and support among the locals.
Recent Conflicts
Seizure of Sanaa: In September 2014, the Houthis, allied with forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, seized control of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. This move marked a significant escalation in the conflict and effectively ousted President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who fled to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi-led Coalition Intervention: In March 2015, Saudi Arabia, fearing the rise of a hostile entity on its southern border, formed a coalition of Arab states and launched a military intervention in Yemen. The coalition aimed to restore Hadi’s government and repel the Houthi forces. The intervention has involved extensive airstrikes, a blockade, and ground operations.
Israel-Hamas war: Although the Houthis are not directly involved with their own troops participating, they have launched a variety of drones and missiles targeted at Israel and their allies including the United States. On top of this they have also coordinated and caried out attacks against ships and vessels wanting to dock at Israeli harbours, causing significant stress on the Israeli Economy.
Regional and Global Alliances
Iran's backing of the Houthis is part of its wider strategy to support proxy groups across the Middle East, including Hamas in Gaza. The support to the Houthis aligns with Iran's geopolitical goals, which include countering Israeli influence and supporting Palestinian resistance movements and assists the Houthis in attaining national and international influence and authority
The Houthis have been reported to have connections with Hezbollah, another Iran-backed group, which has a significant presence in Lebanon and is involved in supporting Palestinian groups. This relationship allows the potential for coordinated attacks or mutual support in conflicts involving Gaza.