Who Are the Houthis, and Why Are They in Conflict with the US? | TDG Explainer

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Zaidi Shia Muslim rebel group from northern Yemen. The movement emerged in the 1990s as a religious and political opposition to Saudi Arabian influence and what it viewed as the Yemeni government’s corruption and marginalization of Zaidis. Over time, the Houthis transformed into a powerful insurgent force.

Origins and Rise to Power

In the early 2000s, the Houthis fought multiple rebellions against Yemen’s long-time authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, demanding greater autonomy for their northern stronghold. During the 2011 Arab Spring, President Saleh was forced to transfer power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, whose government struggled with political instability. Taking advantage of the turmoil, the Houthis seized the northern province of Saada and later captured the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.

In 2015, they expanded their control over western Yemen, forcing Hadi to flee the country. This led to a Saudi-led military intervention, backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States, to restore Hadi’s government. Despite years of airstrikes and ground fighting, the Houthis retained control over much of northern and western Yemen.

Houthi Ideology and Allies

The Houthis align themselves with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”, which includes groups such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas. They openly declare their opposition to Israel, the US, and Western powers.

Their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, succeeded his brother Hussein al-Houthi, who was killed by Yemeni forces in 2004.

Who Supports the Houthis?

The US and Saudi Arabia accuse Iran of arming the Houthis with drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, violating a UN arms embargo. These weapons have been used in attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While Iran denies direct involvement, reports suggest it has helped the Houthis develop domestic drone and missile production. The group also receives military support from Hezbollah, according to US and European intelligence sources.

Houthi-Controlled Areas

The Houthis govern Sanaa and northwestern Yemen, including parts of the Red Sea coastline. Most of Yemen’s population lives in these regions, where the Houthis operate a de facto government, collecting taxes and printing currency. Meanwhile, the internationally recognized government is based in Aden, overseen by the Presidential Leadership Council since 2022.

Why Are the Houthis Attacking Red Sea Ships?

Escalation Amid the Gaza War

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched drone and missile attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, claiming to target vessels linked to Israel, the US, and the UK in response to the war in Gaza.

• November 19, 2023 – The Houthis hijacked the commercial ship Galaxy Leader.
• Since then, they have launched dozens of attacks, damaging at least 34 vessels.
• February 2024 – The cargo ship Rubymar sank after being hit by a Houthi missile.
• March 6, 2024 – A missile attack on the Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence killed three crew members.

Although the Houthis initially claimed to target Israel-linked ships, many attacked vessels had no connection to Israel. In retaliation for US-UK airstrikes, the Houthis expanded their attacks to ships owned or operated by US and UK companies.

Impact on Global Trade

The Red Sea is a critical maritime route, handling nearly 15% of global seaborne trade via the Suez Canal. Due to Houthi threats, major shipping companies have rerouted vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, leading to higher fuel costs, longer transit times, and supply chain disruptions.

Why Are the US and UK Bombing Yemen?

Military Response

To counter Houthi attacks, the US and UK launched airstrikes on January 11, 2024, targeting drone launch sites, missile storage facilities, and radar systems.

• January 2024 – Initial US-UK airstrikes hit Houthi military positions.
• February 2024 – The US shot down drones and missiles aimed at Red Sea ships.
• March 2024 – Despite continued airstrikes, the Houthis intensified attacks on shipping.

President Joe Biden defended the strikes as a “direct response” to attacks on Red Sea vessels, emphasizing that the US aims to protect global trade and maritime security.

US-Houthi Conflict and Future Implications

Escalation and Global Risks

The ongoing confrontation between the Houthis and the US risks expanding beyond Yemen. Key concerns include:

1. Increased US military action – If Houthi attacks persist, the US may escalate airstrikes or deploy additional naval forces.
2. Iran’s Role – The US has warned Iran against further arming the Houthis, but Tehran continues to deny direct involvement.
3. Regional Stability – The conflict could draw in other players like Saudi Arabia, which has tried negotiating a peace deal with the Houthis since a UN-brokered truce in April 2022.

Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis

• The war in Yemen has killed over 160,000 people, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
• More than 4 million people have been displaced, with Yemen experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

What’s Next?

While Saudi Arabia seeks a political settlement, the US and its allies remain focused on military deterrence. With the Houthis showing no signs of backing down, the Red Sea remains a volatile hotspot, posing risks to global trade and regional stability.