The Origins of Yemen's Ansarallah Movement

The Houthis, officially known as Ansarallah, are a Zaydi Shiite political movement originating in northern Yemen. Although the group was formally established in the 1990s, its roots trace back much further, encompassing decades of conflict, dissent, and warfare. While the Houthis have been in the international spotlight since their takeover of the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014, their history spans more than half a century.

The Monarchy Era

The Houthis are currently a key player within the Shiite ideological network known as the 'Axis of Resistance.' However, before this, Yemen was ruled by the Mutawakkilite Kingdom, which was governed by Zaydi Imams from 1918 until 1962. This came to an end when a republican revolution, supported by Egypt, ousted the monarchy. Following the conflict, the Kingdom was overthrown, and a republican order was established. Although Yemen was not immediately reunified and remained divided into two republics, the monarchy was permanently dismantled.

Religious Beliefs

Before delving further into their history, it is important to highlight the Houthis' religious beliefs and what distinguishes them from Sunnis and other Shia sects. The Zaydi branch of Shiism is primarily practiced in northern Yemen. Unlike Twelver Shiism, which emphasizes the infallibility of imams, Zaydism does not recognize this doctrine and permits leadership by any descendant of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. There are other religious differences, but the details require a more thorough explanation, for another time.

The Establishment of the Houthis

In the 1990s, Yemeni cleric Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi founded a new political movement in Yemen's northern Saada province, a stronghold of Zaydi Shiism, which constitutes approximately 35% of Yemen’s population. The movement, known as the 'Believing Youth', was created to counter the spread of Wahhabi ideology, which was being promoted by Saudi-funded preachers.

The movement's stated goals were to revive Zaydi traditions through education and social activism, but it gradually became more political. The infamous slogan associated with the Houthis today was coined by Hussein Badr al-Din himself after the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq:
'God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, victory for Islam.'

In 2004, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered Hussein al-Houthi’s arrest. This led to a military crackdown, which culminated in Hussein's death. He had a bounty of 55,000 U.S. dollars on his head. Following his death, his brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, took control of the group, which was subsequently renamed Ansar Allah. Abdul-Malik remains the leader to this day.

A six-year insurgency followed between 2004 and 2010 against the government, with Saudi Arabia formally joining the conflict in 2009. Despite the intervention, the Houthis were able to expand their presence in Saada province, rather than being suppressed.

The Arab Spring

In 2011, a major event took place – the Arab Spring – and the Houthis seized the opportunity to actively engage in the power vacuum. President Ali Abdullah Saleh was deposed, and his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, struggled to manage the transition. The Houthis capitalized on widespread discontent over corruption, subsidy cuts, and the general dissatisfaction of the Yemeni people. They formed an alliance with Saleh, and in 2014, they seized control of Sanaa, forcing Hadi to flee first to Aden and then to Saudi Arabia.

In 2015, Yemen's parliament was dissolved, and a new interim authority, the Revolutionary Committee, was declared. However, the situation quickly devolved into a civil war as other regions of the country refused to recognize the new Houthi-led government in Saada. To this day, most countries refuse to acknowledge the Houthis as the legitimate government of Yemen.

The Yemeni Civil War

The civil war escalated in 2015, with the full scale declaration of war by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. However, the situation has since reached a stalemate, and diplomatic efforts have become the primary focus. Despite this, the conditions in Yemen remain dire. The country has been ravaged by war, famine, ethnic cleansing, and both alleged and actual proxy wars, transforming Yemen into a failed state. Over 80% of the population now relies on humanitarian aid for survival.

President Saleh eventually betrayed the Houthis and attempted to defect to the Arab coalition, but he was killed in 2017. Following his death, the Houthis became a central part of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, a label coined by Western analysts that includes groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iraqi PMF, and other militant organizations.

While the Houthis are generally independent and pursue their own path, they consistently frame their struggle as resistance against American imperialism, Israeli aggression, and Saudi influence. Since October 2023, the Houthis have actively participated in the Gaza war, launching missiles and drones towards Israel and disrupting Red Sea shipping, which has contributed to a global crisis in commercial shipping.

The Current Situation

Currently, Yemen is effectively divided into five states. The Houthis maintain basic administrative functions in northern Yemen, including collecting taxes, running schools, and overseeing police duties. They also control the majority of Yemen's land area, including the capital Sanaa and the major cities of Saada and Hodeidah.

Saudi Arabia has recently engaged in peace negotiations with the Houthis, seeking a way to exit the war. However, a lasting settlement remains shaky, as the Houthis demand recognition as Yemen’s legitimate government.

The Houthis’ durability and long-standing presence can be attributed to several factors, including local tribal support in their home regions, Iranian military backing, and anti-Saudi and anti-Israeli rhetoric—appealing to the populist sentiments of a large portion of the Arab population.

The Houthis’ armed struggle over nearly 30 years should be taken into account when analyzing their policies, motives, and survival. Few militant groups engage in sustained insurgencies for such an extended period and manage to endure, which underscores their remarkable ability to survive and adapt to changing circumstances.