The Houthis
(Arabic: الحوثيون = al-Ḥūthiyyūn; alternately: (al-)Houthis) are a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating inYemen. They have also been referred to as a "powerful clan,"[7] and by the title Ash-Shabab al-Mu'min (Arabic: الشباب المؤمن, translated as Believing Youth (BY)[8] or Youthful Believers).[9] The group takes its name from Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, their former commander, who was reportedly killed by Yemeni army forces in September 2004.[10] Several other commanders, including, Ali al-Qatwani, Abu Haider, Abbas Aidah and Yousuf al-Madani (a son-inlaw of Hussein al-Houthi) have also been killed by Yemeni forces.[11] The Houthi brothers' father Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group.[9]
Membership
Membership of the group had between 1,000 and 3,000 fighters as of 2005[12] and between 2,000 and 10,000 fighters as of 2009.[13] In the Yemen Post it was claimed, however, that they had over 100,000 fighters.[14] According to Houthi ExpertAhmed Al-Bahri the Houthis had a total of 100,000-120,000 followers, including both armed fighters and unarmed loyalists.[15]
Territorial Control
Through their armed uprisings, the Houthis have managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of 'Amran Governorate, Al Jawf Governorate and Hajjah Governorate.[16]
By 9 November 2011, Houthis were said to be in control of two Yemeni governorates (Sa'dah and al-Jawf) and close to taking over their third governorate (Hajjah),[17] which would enable them to launch a direct assault on Yemeni capital Sana'a.[18] By May 2012, it was reported that Houthis controlled a majority of Sa'dah, al-Jawf and Hajjah governorates, had gained access to the Red Sea and had started erecting barricades north of the capital Sana'a in preparation for new conflict.[19]
Ideology[edit]
The Houthis have asserted that their actions are for the defence of their community from the government and discrimination, though the Yemeni government has in turn accused them of wishing to bring it down and institute Shia religious law[20](Houthis have told people they are “praying in the wrong way” by raising their arms, as is the custom among Sunnis in Yemen),[21] destabilise the government and "stirring anti-American sentiment."[22]
The Yemeni government has also accused the Houthis of having ties to external backers, especially the Iranian government (as Iran is a Shia-majority country).[23] In turn, the Houthis have countered with allegations that the Yemeni government is being backed by virulently anti-Shia external backers including al-Qaeda and the government of Saudi Arabia[24][25][26](despite the fact that then President Ali Abdullah Saleh is also Zaidi[27]).
Membership
Membership of the group had between 1,000 and 3,000 fighters as of 2005[12] and between 2,000 and 10,000 fighters as of 2009.[13] In the Yemen Post it was claimed, however, that they had over 100,000 fighters.[14] According to Houthi ExpertAhmed Al-Bahri the Houthis had a total of 100,000-120,000 followers, including both armed fighters and unarmed loyalists.[15]
Territorial Control
Through their armed uprisings, the Houthis have managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of 'Amran Governorate, Al Jawf Governorate and Hajjah Governorate.[16]
By 9 November 2011, Houthis were said to be in control of two Yemeni governorates (Sa'dah and al-Jawf) and close to taking over their third governorate (Hajjah),[17] which would enable them to launch a direct assault on Yemeni capital Sana'a.[18] By May 2012, it was reported that Houthis controlled a majority of Sa'dah, al-Jawf and Hajjah governorates, had gained access to the Red Sea and had started erecting barricades north of the capital Sana'a in preparation for new conflict.[19]
Ideology[edit]
The Houthis have asserted that their actions are for the defence of their community from the government and discrimination, though the Yemeni government has in turn accused them of wishing to bring it down and institute Shia religious law[20](Houthis have told people they are “praying in the wrong way” by raising their arms, as is the custom among Sunnis in Yemen),[21] destabilise the government and "stirring anti-American sentiment."[22]
The Yemeni government has also accused the Houthis of having ties to external backers, especially the Iranian government (as Iran is a Shia-majority country).[23] In turn, the Houthis have countered with allegations that the Yemeni government is being backed by virulently anti-Shia external backers including al-Qaeda and the government of Saudi Arabia[24][25][26](despite the fact that then President Ali Abdullah Saleh is also Zaidi[27]).
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