Who are the Houthis? An Analysis from Middle East: The Truth

The conflict in the Middle East is complex and filled with key actors that shape the region's geopolitics. One of these actors is the Houthis, a Shia insurgent movement that has played a central role in Yemen's devastating civil war. To understand the context and the reasons behind the Houthi insurgency, it is essential to delve into their history, ideology, and the regional influences that have shaped their path. In my book Middle East: The Truth, I address these conflicts and the dynamics that define them in detail.

Origins of the Houthi Movement

The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah ("Supporters of God"), has its roots in the Zaydi community of northern Yemen, a branch of Shia Islam that has predominated in that region for over a thousand years. Unlike other Shia sects, the Zaydis hold practices and beliefs that align them in some aspects with Sunni Islam, giving them a unique identity within the Islamic world.Throughout the 20th century, the Zaydis experienced a loss of political power after the 1962 Yemeni Revolution, which overthrew the Zaydi Imamate and established the Yemen Arab Republic. This shift reduced the Zaydis' political influence and created a sense of marginalization that would fuel the rise of the Houthi movement in the following decades.

The Rise of the Movement

The Houthi movement began forming in the 1980s and 1990s, initially as a group of young Zaydis concerned about the spread of Wahhabism, an ultraconservative interpretation of Sunni Islam promoted by Saudi Arabia. Under the leadership of Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, the Houthis began opposing what they perceived as a threat to their community and religious identity.In 2004, Hussein al-Houthi led an armed uprising against the Yemeni government, sparking a series of intermittent conflicts. Despite his death that same year, his movement grew in strength, adopting his surname, "Houthi," as a symbol of their resistance.

The Expansion of the Houthi Movement and Saudi InterventionThe advent of the Arab Spring in 2011 created a climate of instability that the Houthis exploited to expand their control in northern Yemen. In 2014, they captured the capital, Sana'a, alarming neighboring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, which viewed the Houthis as a threat due to their ties with Iran, Saudi Arabia's major rival in the region.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a military intervention to halt the Houthi advance, turning the conflict into a devastating war that continues to this day. This war has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with millions affected by violence, famine, and disease.

Ideology and Alliances

Ideologically, the Houthis combine Zaydi Shia beliefs with a strong anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist rhetoric. Their slogan, "God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curses upon the Jews, victory to Islam," reflects their combative stance against what they see as the world's oppressive powers. This rhetoric has allowed them to mobilize much of their support base.

Additionally, the Houthis have forged a close relationship with Iran, which has provided them with political and military support. Although the Houthis claim that their struggle is a national Yemeni cause, their ties to Iran have raised tensions in the region, especially with Saudi Arabia and its allies.

The War in Yemen and Its Consequences

The conflict in Yemen has transformed what was initially a local resistance movement into a key force on the Middle Eastern geopolitical stage. The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including Sana’a, and continue to resist efforts by the Saudi-led coalition.

This conflict has not only devastated Yemen but has also drawn in various regional and global powers, deepening sectarian and political divisions across the region.

Middle East: The Truth offers an in-depth analysis of insurgent movements in the region, including the Houthis, and how their influence has shaped current tensions. If you are interested in understanding more about the conflict in Yemen and the geopolitical dynamics at play, I invite you to explore my book. In it, I break down the interests and alliances that have driven the region into one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century.