Who Are the Houthis?
- Elon Gilad
- Mar 28
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), have evolved from a marginalized religious movement in Yemen's northern highlands to a formidable military force that now controls much of northern Yemen and threatens international shipping lanes. Their remarkable trajectory offers crucial insights into how local grievances can transform into international security threats.
Originating in Yemen's Saada governorate, the Houthis emerged from the Zaidi sect of Shia Islam, which had ruled northern Yemen for nearly a millennium until the 1962 revolution established the Yemen Arab Republic. Unlike the Twelver Shiites predominant in Iran, Zaidis follow distinct religious doctrines that have allowed them to function effectively within Yemen's tribal society.
In the 1990s, Zaidi communities faced increasing marginalization under President Ali Abdullah Saleh's government, coinciding with a growing Saudi-backed influx of Wahhabism that many Zaidis perceived as threatening their identity. In response, the "Union of Believing Youth" emerged as a religious revival movement, with Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi becoming a prominent figure.
Houthis: From Religious Revival to Armed Insurgency
The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 marked a pivotal moment in radicalizing the movement. Hussein al-Houthi, who had previously served in Yemen's parliament (1993-1997), incorporated anti-Western rhetoric into his teachings, leading to the adoption of their famous slogan: "God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory for Islam."
Tensions escalated in January 2003 when President Saleh visited Saada and was greeted with this chant, prompting a government crackdown. By 2004, Saleh's government launched a full military campaign against the Houthis. Hussein al-Houthi was killed in September 2004, becoming a martyr figure whose death galvanized support. His brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, assumed leadership and transformed the group into an effective insurgency.
Between 2004 and 2010, the Houthis fought six rounds of conflict with the government, gradually expanding their control in Saada province. The government's counterproductive strategies, including indiscriminate violence against civilians, alienated local populations and strengthened Houthi support.
Houthis Seize Power: The Arab Spring Opportunity
The 2011 Arab Spring protests dramatically altered Yemen's political landscape. As protests against Saleh's 33-year rule spread across the country, the Houthis seized control of Saada governorate and adopted the official name Ansar Allah.
The most strategic shift came through their unlikely alliance with former enemy Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had been forced to resign the presidency. Both saw opportunities to undermine common rivals—particularly the Islah party and transitional President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. This alliance facilitated the Houthis' expansion beyond their traditional strongholds, culminating in their seizure of Sanaa in September 2014.
By early 2015, the Houthis had effectively taken control of the government, placing President Hadi under house arrest and forcing him to flee. In response, Saudi Arabia and a coalition of Sunni Arab states launched a military intervention in March 2015, beginning what would become one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
The Houthi-Saleh alliance lasted until December 2017, when Saleh attempted to switch sides. After brief fighting in Sanaa, Saleh was killed, and the Houthis consolidated power by purging his loyalists from government institutions and establishing a hybrid governance system combining formal state institutions with parallel structures of control.
Houthis' Military Capabilities and Regional Impact
The Houthis have developed impressive military capabilities that allow them to challenge the Saudi-led coalition and project power beyond Yemen's borders. Their arsenal includes ballistic and cruise missiles, attack drones, and anti-ship weapons—many developed with Iranian technical assistance.
Their campaign in the Red Sea, launched in November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, forced many shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa, increasing global shipping costs. On the morning of October 7, 2023, some 5,000 Hamas-led terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza, killing some 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages amid sexual assaults and brutality and sparking the war in Gaza. Yemen’s attacks against shipping companies in the Red Sea prompted direct military responses from the United States and United Kingdom in January 2024, drawing the poorest country in the Middle East further into regional conflict.
The Iran Question: Proxy or Partner?
While often portrayed as Iranian proxies, the Houthi-Iran relationship is more complex. Though Iranian support has grown substantially since 2014, the Houthis maintain significant autonomy in decision-making. For example, Canadian strategic analyst Thomas Juneau argued that the Houthis "are not Iranian proxies" and that "Tehran's influence in Yemen is marginal."
According to Juneau, "the civil war in Yemen is driven first and foremost by local and political factors, and is neither an international proxy war nor a sectarian confrontation." The relationship with Iran is better understood as a strategic alignment of interests rather than direct control.
Humanitarian Crisis and Future Prospects
The conflict has created what the UN calls "the world's worst humanitarian crisis." In Houthi-controlled territories, approximately 17 million people lack reliable access to food, and over 8 million face acute malnutrition. The blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition has severely restricted imports of food, medicine, and fuel, while Houthi authorities have been accused of diverting humanitarian aid.
After a decade of conflict, the Houthis have demonstrated remarkable durability. Peace initiatives have consistently failed, and their attacks in the Red Sea suggest they are pursuing regional ambitions beyond Yemen's borders.
As part of what Iran calls the "Axis of Resistance," alongside Hezbollah, Hamas, and various Iraqi militias, the Houthis have solidified their position as significant regional actors. Their actions directly affect global commerce, international security, and Middle Eastern geopolitics.
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Elon Gilad is an Israeli author, journalist, and linguist. His work focuses on uncovering the historical roots of contemporary issues, particularly in current affairs, Jewish history, and the Hebrew language. Gilad is the author of "The Secret History of Judaism." His analytical pieces draw on his diverse background to provide unique insights into today's complex issues, explaining current situations through the lens of historical development.