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Who are Yemen’s Houthis and why did they attack Israel?

Houthi fighters fire anti-tank grenades during a military manoeuvre near Sanaa, Yemen, October 30, 2023. Houthi Media Center/Handout via Reuters

Historical Roots of the Houthi Movement: In the late 1990s, the Houthi family initiated a religious revival movement within the Zaydi sect of Shi’ite Islam, which had once held power in Yemen but had become marginalized, particularly in the impoverished northern regions. As tensions escalated with the Yemeni government, the Houthi movement engaged in a series of guerrilla wars against the national army and even clashed briefly with Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia.

The Onset of the Yemeni War: The Yemeni conflict began in late 2014 when the Houthi forces captured the capital, Sanaa. Concerned by the expanding influence of Shi’ite Iran along its southern border, Saudi Arabia intervened in March 2015, leading a Western-backed coalition in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, which had relocated to Aden. Consequently, the Houthis gained control over significant parts of northern Yemen and major population centers.

A Period of Relative Calm and Diplomacy: Yemen has experienced a year of relative tranquility amid a United Nations-led peace initiative. Saudi Arabia has engaged in negotiations with the Houthi group to find a path to end the war.

Houthi Attacks on Israel and Regional Implications: The Houthi movement, operating over a thousand miles away from their base in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, has recently entered the Israel-Hamas conflict. They declared on October 31 that they had launched missiles and drones towards Israel, underlining the regional ramifications of this conflict.

Purpose of the Attacks: Identifying as part of the “Axis of Resistance” supported by Iran, the Houthis have aligned themselves with the Palestinian cause following Hamas’s attacks on Israel. They attribute regional instability to Israel’s actions, expanding the “circle of conflict” in the Middle East. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated their intention to continue these attacks until Israeli aggression ceases, and their slogan emphasizes their stance: “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory to Islam.”

Links with Iran: The Houthi movement has demonstrated its capabilities in using missiles and drones during the Yemeni war, targeting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including critical infrastructure and oil installations. While the Saudi-led coalition accuses Iran of arming, training, and financing the Houthis, the Houthi group contends that it independently develops its weaponry, denying allegations of being an Iranian proxy.

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