Houthis

Houthis

Fields:	Politics
Case File:	Terrorist Organizations Main Page

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), are a Zaydi Shia Islamist political and military organization based in Yemen. They emerged in the 1990s under the leadership of Hussein al-Houthi, who opposed the Yemeni government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, accusing it of corruption and being backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Leadership and Structure

The group has been led since 2004 by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, Hussein’s brother. The movement is highly centralized, with key roles held by members of the al-Houthi family and loyalists from northern Yemen. Their leadership emphasizes religious authority, military cohesion, and resistance to foreign influence.

Ideology and Alliances

The Houthis espouse Zaydi revivalism, Shia Islamism, anti-imperialism, and strong opposition to the U.S., Israel, and Western influence. They adopted the slogan “Death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, victory to Islam” after the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. They are widely regarded as part of the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance”, receiving military support including drones and missiles from Iran, though Tehran denies direct involvement.

Military and Political Control

The Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014, overthrew President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, and now control over 70% of Yemen’s population, governing much of northern and western Yemen. They are engaged in a prolonged civil war with the internationally recognized Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition since 2015.

Recent Activities

Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This has disrupted global trade and prompted U.S. and UK military strikes against Houthi targets. They are designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., UK, and others, though the UN has not listed them as such.

Membership and Influence

Estimates suggest Houthi forces have grown from 100,000 members in 2011 to around 350,000 in 2024, making them one of the most powerful armed groups in the region.