The Houthi Militants: A Powerful Force in Yemen and the Red Sea
The Houthis are a militant group based in Yemen, with an estimated 20,000 fighters, who have emerged as a dominant political force following years of civil war. Backed by Iran, this group represents the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam and has leveraged its strategic position near the Red Sea to disrupt international trade significantly.
Origins and Rise to Power
The Houthis first gained mass support around the turn of the century, drawing from Shia Yemenis disillusioned with corruption and authoritarian leadership. Their influence grew rapidly, culminating in the capture of the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, in 2014. A year later, they overthrew the western-backed president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, forcing him to flee the country.
In response, Hadi's allies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with western support, launched a military campaign to drive out the Houthis. This conflict escalated into a devastating civil war, resulting in an estimated 377,000 deaths and displacing 4 million people by the end of 2021. A UN-brokered truce in 2022 has largely held, providing a fragile peace in Yemen.
Role in Global Trade Disruption
As part of Iran's "axis of resistance," the Houthis began targeting international shipping in the Red Sea after the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, which triggered the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Their campaign in this major thoroughfare for world trade brought chaos to global supply chains, highlighting their ability to impact the global economy.
The Houthis ceased these attacks following a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October 2025. However, their actions have underscored the group's capacity to wield influence far beyond Yemen's borders.
Iranian Connections and Recent Actions
While the United States asserts that Iran has armed, funded, and trained the Houthis, the group denies being an Iranian proxy, instead claiming a shared political affinity. In the early weeks of the US-Israel war on Iran, the Houthis remained largely silent. However, on 28 March, they fired missiles at Israel, vowing to continue military operations until Israel "ceases its attacks and aggression."
This stance reinforces the Houthis' role as a key player in regional conflicts, with their actions in the Red Sea serving as a reminder of their potential to destabilize international trade and security.
