The Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, has emerged as a significant force in Yemen’s complex political and military landscape. Initially rooted in the Zaidi Shia community in northern Yemen, the group has grown from a local cultural and religious movement into a dominant political-military entity with significant influence in the region. This article explores the origins of the Houthis, the family that has led them, their rise to power, and their complex relationships with both Iran and Israel.
Origins and Leadership
The Houthis trace their roots to the Zaidi Shia Muslim community in Yemen’s Saada province. Zaidi Shia Islam, which differs from the Twelver Shia Islam dominant in Iran, has historically been a significant religious force in Yemen, with the Zaidi imamate ruling parts of northern Yemen for nearly a thousand years until its overthrow in 1962.
The Houthi movement was founded by Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi in the early 1990s. Initially, the movement focused on cultural and religious revivalism within the Zaidi community, resisting the perceived marginalization by the Yemeni government. Hussein al-Houthi was a charismatic leader, whose teachings and sermons resonated with many in the Zaidi community, particularly as they perceived growing encroachment by Salafi and Wahhabi ideologies, which they saw as supported by the central government and foreign powers like Saudi Arabia.
Hussein al-Houthi’s death in 2004, during the Yemeni government’s crackdown, marked a turning point. Leadership passed to his brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who has led the movement ever since. Under Abdul-Malik’s leadership, the Houthis have transitioned from a regional insurgent group to a major political and military power in Yemen, capable of challenging the central government and controlling vast territories, including the capital, Sana’a.
Rise to Power
The Houthis’ rise to power accelerated during the turmoil following the Arab Spring in 2011, which weakened the Yemeni state and led to the ousting of long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Houthis capitalized on the power vacuum and widespread discontent with the transitional government led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.
In 2014, the Houthis took control of Sana’a, and by early 2015, they had forced President Hadi to flee the country. This coup set off a civil war that drew in regional powers, leading to a protracted and devastating conflict. The Houthis’ ability to sustain their military campaign, despite facing a Saudi-led coalition with superior firepower, is a testament to their resilience and the complex socio-political dynamics within Yemen.
Relationship with Iran
The relationship between the Houthis and Iran is one of the most controversial aspects of the conflict in Yemen. The Houthis, a Zaidi Shia group, and Iran, a Twelver Shia theocracy, share a sectarian affinity, but their relationship is more strategic than purely religious.
Iran has provided the Houthis with political support, military advice, and possibly weapons and technology, although the extent of this support is debated. For Iran, backing the Houthis serves several strategic purposes: it allows Tehran to exert influence in the Arabian Peninsula, counter Saudi Arabia, and challenge U.S. interests in the region.
However, it is important to note that the Houthis are not mere proxies of Iran. Their movement is rooted in local Yemeni grievances, and their goals are primarily focused on the Yemeni context. While Iranian support has been beneficial, the Houthis have their own leadership, agenda, and autonomy.
Stance on Israel
The Houthis have taken a staunchly anti-Israel stance, which is consistent with their broader opposition to Western influence in the region. Their slogan, “God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, victory to Islam,” encapsulates their anti-Western and anti-Israel rhetoric.
This rhetoric aligns them with other anti-Israel actors in the region, including Iran, Hezbollah, and some factions within Iraq and Syria. However, unlike Hezbollah or Hamas, the Houthis have not engaged directly with Israel. Their conflict remains primarily within Yemen and against the Saudi-led coalition. The anti-Israel stance serves more as a political and ideological statement, reinforcing their alignment with broader anti-Western and anti-Zionist sentiments in the Middle East.
Conclusion
The Houthis have evolved from a regional Zaidi revivalist movement into a powerful military and political force in Yemen. Led by the al-Houthi family, particularly Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the group has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. Their relationship with Iran, while significant, is complex and driven by mutual strategic interests rather than simple sectarian solidarity. Meanwhile, their anti-Israel rhetoric aligns them with other regional actors opposing Western influence but has yet to translate into direct action against Israel.
The ongoing conflict in Yemen, with the Houthis as a central player, continues to shape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The group’s ability to navigate local, regional, and international dynamics will likely determine the future of Yemen and the broader Arabian Peninsula.
Andrea Bodei
EUCIF
The European Cyber Intelligence Foundation is a European non-profit think tank specializing in intelligence and cybersecurity, offering consultancy services to government entities