Kris Kristofferson

The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), is a Yemeni political and religious insurgent group that has been a central player in Yemen’s ongoing civil conflict. Originating from the Zaydi sect of Shia Islam, the group’s rise to power and prominence has dramatically shaped the geopolitics of Yemen and the broader Middle East. In this article, we will explore the origins of the Houthi movement, its evolution over time, its role in Yemen's civil war, and its impact on regional and international politics.

Historical Origins

The roots of the Houthi movement trace back to the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam, which has a long history in Yemen. Zaydism, named after Zayd ibn Ali, is a sect of Shia Islam that differs from the more widely practiced Twelver Shia faith in Iran. For over a millennium, Zaydi imams ruled much of northern Yemen, particularly in the mountainous regions. However, the 1962 revolution in Yemen, which led to the establishment of the Yemen Arab Republic, ended centuries of Zaydi rule and sparked a decline in the political influence of the Zaydi community.

In the decades that followed, Zaydi Muslims in northern Yemen, particularly in the Saada region, felt marginalized by the government in Sana’a, which was increasingly influenced by Sunni Islam and supported by Saudi Arabia. This sense of marginalization and dissatisfaction provided fertile ground for the emergence of a political and religious movement.

The Houthi movement itself began in the 1990s under the leadership of Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a Zaydi cleric and politician. Al-Houthi was a vocal critic of both the Yemeni government, led at the time by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the growing influence of Wahhabism, a conservative form of Sunni Islam promoted by Saudi Arabia. He accused the government of corruption and of allowing Saudi Wahhabi influence to erode Yemen’s religious and cultural identity. Al-Houthi's sermons and speeches garnered a significant following, particularly among the Zaydi population in northern Yemen.

The Formation of the Movement

Initially, the Houthi movement, also known as the "Believing Youth," was primarily a religious and cultural revivalist group that sought to preserve Zaydi traditions and teachings. However, as tensions between the Houthis and the Yemeni government escalated, the movement became increasingly political and militant. In 2004, a rebellion erupted in the northern Saada region after government forces attempted to arrest Hussein al-Houthi. Al-Houthi was killed in the fighting, but the movement continued under the leadership of his brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

This marked the beginning of a protracted conflict between the Houthi movement and the Yemeni government, with several rounds of fighting occurring between 2004 and 2010. The Houthis were able to exploit the weakness of the Yemeni state and the fractured nature of Yemeni society to expand their influence in the north. Although these early conflicts were largely contained in the northern regions, they set the stage for the much broader and more destructive war that would engulf Yemen in the following years.

The Yemeni Civil War

The Yemeni civil war, which began in earnest in 2014, is a multifaceted and complex conflict with numerous internal and external actors. The Houthis' role in this conflict has been central, but to understand their rise to power, it is important to look at the broader context of Yemen’s political landscape.

Yemen’s modern political history has been characterized by instability, weak governance, and deep-seated divisions between north and south, as well as between different tribal and religious groups. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled Yemen for over three decades, was able to maintain power through a delicate balancing act of patronage, tribal alliances, and military force. However, his grip on power began to slip in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, which led to widespread protests across Yemen. In 2012, Saleh was forced to step down, and his vice president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, assumed the presidency in a U.S.- and Saudi-backed transition plan.

Hadi’s government, however, struggled to address Yemen’s deep-rooted problems, including corruption, economic collapse, and widespread dissatisfaction among various groups, including the Houthis. The Houthis, who had initially been marginalized from the political process, seized the opportunity presented by the chaos to expand their influence. By 2014, they had taken control of the capital, Sana’a, and forced Hadi to flee to the southern city of Aden. In 2015, the Houthis declared themselves the legitimate rulers of Yemen.

This rapid rise to power alarmed Yemen’s neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia, which viewed the Houthis as an Iranian proxy. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia, along with a coalition of Arab states, launched a military intervention aimed at restoring Hadi’s government and pushing back the Houthi advance. The Saudi-led coalition, supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western powers, conducted airstrikes and imposed a blockade on Yemen, leading to widespread destruction and a humanitarian catastrophe.

Ideology and Beliefs

The Houthi movement is rooted in Zaydi Shia Islam, but its ideology has evolved over time to encompass broader political and nationalist goals. The movement’s early rhetoric focused on the preservation of Zaydi identity and resistance to Wahhabi influence. However, as the movement became more militarized and politically ambitious, its goals expanded to include opposition to foreign intervention in Yemen and resistance to what it perceives as Western imperialism.

The Houthis have portrayed themselves as defenders of Yemen’s sovereignty and independence, framing their struggle as part of a broader resistance against foreign domination. This anti-imperialist rhetoric has resonated with many Yemenis, particularly in the north, who view the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention as an assault on Yemen’s sovereignty.

The Houthis’ slogan, “God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse upon the Jews, victory to Islam,” reflects both their religious beliefs and their political stance. While the slogan is highly inflammatory, it is important to note that the Houthis’ primary focus has been on their domestic enemies—namely the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led coalition—rather than on Israel or the United States directly. Nonetheless, the Houthis have cultivated close ties with Iran, which has provided them with material and political support, further fueling accusations that they are an Iranian proxy.

External Influence and Iran’s Role

One of the most contentious aspects of the Houthi movement’s rise to power is its alleged relationship with Iran. Saudi Arabia and its allies have long accused the Houthis of being backed by Iran, viewing the conflict in Yemen as part of a broader regional struggle for influence between Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran. There is evidence that Iran has provided the Houthis with arms, training, and financial support, though the extent of this support is a matter of debate.

Iran’s involvement in Yemen is often seen as part of its broader strategy of projecting power and influence in the region, particularly through proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and various Shia militias in Iraq and Syria. However, the Houthis’ relationship with Iran is not as straightforward as the Saudi narrative suggests. The Houthis have their own distinct goals and interests, and while they have benefited from Iranian support, they are not simply an Iranian proxy. The movement’s roots are deeply embedded in Yemen’s domestic political and social landscape, and its rise to power can be attributed as much to internal factors as to external ones.

Humanitarian Impact and War Crimes

The civil war in Yemen has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Both the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition have been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses and war crimes. The Saudi air campaign has been particularly devastating, with airstrikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and markets. The coalition’s blockade has also severely restricted the flow of food, medicine, and fuel into Yemen, exacerbating the country’s already dire humanitarian situation.

The Houthis, for their part, have been accused of indiscriminate shelling, forced recruitment of child soldiers, and the use of landmines in civilian areas. They have also been criticized for their harsh rule in areas under their control, including restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, and the suppression of political dissent.

The war has devastated Yemen’s economy and infrastructure, leading to widespread famine and the outbreak of diseases such as cholera. According to the United Nations, more than 230,000 people have died as a result of the conflict, including tens of thousands of civilians. Millions more have been displaced, and the country’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.

The Future of the Houthi Movement and Yemen

As of 2024, the war in Yemen shows no signs of ending. The conflict has reached a stalemate, with neither the Houthis nor the Saudi-led coalition able to achieve a decisive military victory. Peace talks have been attempted, but they have repeatedly broken down due to deep mistrust between the warring parties and competing interests among regional and international actors.

The Houthis remain in control of much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sana’a, and have demonstrated a remarkable resilience in the face of the Saudi-led coalition’s military campaign. Their ability to hold onto power is due in part to their military strength, but also to the fractured nature of Yemen’s political landscape. Yemen is not a unified country, but rather a patchwork of competing factions, each with its own interests and grievances.

The future of the Houthi movement is likely to be shaped by both domestic and regional dynamics. Domestically, the Houthis will need to find a way to govern a country that has been devastated by war and is deeply divided along sectarian, tribal, and regional lines. Regionally, the movement’s relationship with Iran and Saudi Arabia will continue to play a key role in shaping the outcome of the conflict.

Conclusion

The Houthi movement’s rise from a marginalized religious revivalist group to a dominant political and military force in Yemen is a testament to the complex and multifaceted nature of the country’s civil war. The group’s ability to exploit Yemen’s internal divisions, coupled with external support from Iran and opposition to foreign intervention, has allowed it to maintain a significant role in the ongoing conflict. However, the war has exacted a terrible toll on Yemen’s people, and the prospect of peace remains elusive.

Understanding the Houthis’ role in Yemen’s conflict is crucial for comprehending the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East, where local conflicts are often intertwined with regional power struggles. Whether the Houthis will emerge from the war as a legitimate governing force or whether Yemen will continue to be mired in conflict remains to be seen, but their impact on the region is undeniable.