Yemen’s Houthis: Ansar Allah Explained – MERIP
- The Yemeni Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has significantly raised its global profile since it began launching missiles and drones against Israel in October 2023.
- While arab states have largely remained passive, the Houthis have emerged as key players in the resistance against Israeli actions.
Delve into the complexities of the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, and their rapidly evolving role in the yemen conflict, the Red Sea crisis, and the broader Israel-Hamas conflict. Understand how their attacks on shipping and Israel have thrust them into the global spotlight, reshaping geopolitical dynamics. This analysis explores the movement’s origins within Yemen’s Zaydi Shi’a community, their governance model, and the challenges they face. investigate the growing influence of Iran on Houthi military capabilities and assess the implications for the future. news Directory 3 provides essential insights into this pivotal group and the factors driving their actions. Discover what’s next for this powerful faction.
houthis’ Red Sea Actions Boost Profile amid Yemen Conflict
updated June 02, 2025
The Yemeni Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has significantly raised its global profile since it began launching missiles and drones against Israel in October 2023. these actions, undertaken in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have included attacks on maritime trade in the Gulf and Red Sea, disrupting international commerce via the Suez Canal and impacting Israeli ports.
While arab states have largely remained passive, the Houthis have emerged as key players in the resistance against Israeli actions. international media and policymakers often downplay the Houthi agency, attributing their actions solely to Iranian backing. However, understanding the movement’s roots and governance is crucial to assessing its role in the region.
Originating in Yemen’s Sa’ada governorate, the houthi movement draws from the Zaydi branch of Shi’a Islam. The Zaydis historically held political power in northern Yemen until the 1962 revolution. In the 1990s, Hussein al-Houthi founded the Believing Youth movement, opposing the rise of Sunni Salafism and addressing economic and political marginalization