Who is the Houthi leader?
Hussein al-Houthi
Houthi movement/Leaders
Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi (Arabic: عبد الملك بدر الدين الحوثي) is a Yemeni politician who serves as the leader of the Zaidi revolution movement Ansar Allah (Houthis). His brothers Yahia and Abdul-Karim are also leaders of the group, as were his late brothers Hussein, Ibrahim, and Abdulkhalik.
How strong are the Houthis?
By the last of the six wars (August 11, 2009 – February 11, 2010), the Houthi movement was confident enough to force the surrender of an entire Yemeni brigade 31 and mount a major assault at battalion strength (i.e., 240-360 strong) with armored vehicles on Sa’ada, seizing parts of the city from the government.
Why are Houthis rebelling?
According to a February 2015 Newsweek report, Houthis are fighting “for things that all Yemenis crave: government accountability, the end to corruption, regular utilities, fair fuel prices, job opportunities for ordinary Yemenis and the end of Western influence.”
Where do Houthis get their weapons?
The Houthis have built their arsenal using local manufacturing, foreign expertise and parts smuggled in from Iran, their ally, and elsewhere. They also took over large swathes of Yemen’s conventional military, including Scud missiles, when they seized the capital in late 2014.
How did the Houthi rebels get their name?
The Houthis are key players in an alliance of rebels formally known as Ansar Allah — or “Partisans of God” — who follow Shiite Islam. Their name comes from Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi, who led an uprising in 2004 aimed at winning greater autonomy for provinces and protecting them from the perceived encroachment of Sunni Islam.
Who are the Houthis and what are they doing in Yemen?
The Houthi insurgency in Yemen, also known as the Houthi rebellion, Sa’dah War, or Sa’dah conflict, was a military rebellion pitting Zaidi Shia Houthis (though the movement also includes Sunnis) against the Yemeni military that began in Northern Yemen and has since escalated into a full-scale civil war.
What kind of Muslims are the Houthi movement?
The Houthi movement is a predominately Zaidi Shia force. The Houthis have a complex relationship with Yemen’s Sunni Muslims; the movement has both discriminated against Sunnis, but also recruited and allied with them.
What did the Houthis do in the 2011 revolution?
The Houthis have made fighting corruption the centerpiece of their political program. The Houthis took part in the 2011 Yemeni Revolution by participating in street protests and by coordinating with other opposition groups.
