The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, is a significant player in Yemen’s complex political landscape. Emerging from the northern region of Saada in the 1990s, this Shia Islamist political and armed movement predominantly consists of Zaidi Shias, though it claims broader representation. The Zaidi community, from which the movement draws much of its support, had governed Yemen for nearly a thousand years before being overthrown in 1962. The Houthi movement initially focused on defending Zaidi interests against perceived marginalization but has grown into a broader rebellion, opposing foreign influence and seeking to correct socio-political imbalances in Yemen.
The group’s ascent to power became more visible during the turmoil following the Arab Spring, decisively capturing Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014. This significant territorial gain culminated in the start of an ongoing civil war, pitching the Houthis against Yemeni government forces and a Saudi-led military coalition. This conflict has seen regional and international powers become entangled, as the Saudi-led coalition, supported by the United States and others, aims to restore the internationally recognized Yemeni government. On the flip side, the Houthis have received support from Iran, highlighting the wider Sunni-Shia divide and geopolitical rivalries in the Middle East.
Key Takeaways
- The Houthi movement originated from northern Yemen’s Zaidi Shia community, advocating for regional interests and broader political change.
- By capturing Yemen’s capital in 2014, the Houthis significantly escalated the conflict that led to the ongoing civil war.
- The civil war involves regional and international actors, reflecting the broader Sunni-Shia split and Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions.
Origins and Ideology
The Houthi movement’s emergence is a complex tapestry woven from traditional Zaydi revivalism and a response to contemporary political challenges. It has evolved from a theologically rooted group into a significant political force.
Early History
The Houthi movement, originally known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), traces its roots back to the early 1990s when Hussein al-Houthi, a former member of the Yemeni parliament and a Zaydi religious figure, founded the Believing Youth organization. This group aimed to foster Zaydi religious and cultural traditions in response to what they saw as spreading Salafist and Wahhabist influence within Yemen, which were at odds with the Zaydi Shia Islam heritage. The Zaydi community, historically led by an Imam, had a substantial presence in northern Yemen for nearly a millennium. Al-Houthi’s activism germinated within this Zeidi context, eventually catalyzing the creation of the organized movement.
Beliefs and Objectives
The ideological framework of the Houthis centers on Zaydi sectarian beliefs and the assertion of their rights within Yemen’s political landscape. They claim to defend the Zaydi community and Yemen’s sovereignty against foreign interference. As the political landscape in Yemen shifted, especially after the 2011 Arab Spring and the subsequent ousting of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Houthis broadened their objectives. Their aim morphed into a larger political endeavor for power, which included taking control of the capital, Sana’a, and expanding to other regions like Aden. The group officially calling themselves Ansar Allah, continues to assert significant influence on the country’s ongoing civil war and geopolitical tensions in the region.
Conflict and International Relations
The Houthi movement’s conflict has significantly strained international relations and affected global dynamics. This section explores the domestic power struggle within Yemen, regional involvement with a focus on Iran and the Saudi-led coalition, and the wider global implications, including international shipping and humanitarian concerns.
Domestic Power Struggle
In Yemen, the Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansarullah, have been engaged in a civil war with the Saudi-backed government. Originating from the northwestern Saada province, the Houthi faction took control of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014, dissolving the transitional government which followed the fall of the Saleh regime. The national dialogue, designed to stabilize post-Arab Spring Yemen, collapsed, leading to the Houthi’s declaration of an alternative government, despite lacking recognition from the United Nations and the international community.
Regional Involvement and Impact
Iran’s support for the Houthis, both through direct munitions supplies and tactical assistance, has been a critical factor in the conflict. It has been alleged that Iran has provided ballistic missiles and drone attack capabilities to the Houthis, effectively enabling them to target both Saudi Arabia and shipping near the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Conversely, the Saudi-led coalition, with the support of the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Sunni Muslim allies, has conducted air strikes and blockades in an effort to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.
- Iran: Material and strategic support to the Houthis.
- Saudi-led coalition: Military intervention to support the Yemeni government.
- UN involvement: Efforts for ceasefires and humanitarian aid.
Global Implications
The Houthi’s anti-shipping attacks pose a risk to one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints, affecting international supply chains. The global economy, reliant on the free flow of consumer goods, faces disruptions when the security of cargo ships transiting near the Hodeidah port and through the Red Sea is threatened. Furthermore, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, exacerbated by the conflict and blockades, has elicited calls for action from the international community, including the World Food Programme and the United Nations, to prevent widespread famine.
- Suez Canal: Strategic target for Houthi’s anti-shipping efforts.
- Humanitarian crisis: Severe impact on Yemen’s civilian population with international calls for aid.
