WHO ARE HOUTHIS?

 Series (Ep 01)

WHO ARE HOUTHIS?

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), are a rebel group based in Yemen. The movement originated in the early 1990s as a theological and political movement that emerged from the Zaidi sect of Shia Islam, which is a minority in Yemen. The group is named after its founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi. The Houthis became more prominent on the national stage in Yemen in the mid-2000s, primarily due to their opposition to the Yemeni government and their grievances over political and economic marginalization. The Houthi movement gained momentum in the aftermath of the Arab Spring protests that began in 2011. The conflict escalated significantly in 2014 when the Houthis, along with allied military units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, seized control of the Yemeni capital, Sana'a. This led to the displacement of the internationally recognized government led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The Saudi-led coalition, consisting of several Arab countries, intervened in Yemen in 2015, launching a military campaign to restore the Hadi government and counter what they saw as Iranian influence in the region. The conflict has since resulted in a complex and devastating humanitarian crisis, with widespread suffering, displacement, and a dire need for humanitarian aid.The Houthi movement has been accused of receiving support from Iran, which they deny. The situation in Yemen remains highly complex and volatile, with ongoing political, humanitarian, and military dimensions.