This militant group, officially known as Ansar Allah, has a deeply rooted hatred for Jews, Israel, and America, making them a significant threat not only to the Middle East but to global stability.
A Dark History of the Houthis
The Houthis' origins are deeply troubling. This group started in the early 1990s in Yemen’s northern Saada region as a revivalist Zaydi Shia movement. Named after their founding leader, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, they initially focused on advocating for the rights of the Zaydi community, which had felt marginalized by Yemen’s central government.
The Zaydis, a distinct Shia sect, once ruled Yemen for nearly a thousand years until they were overthrown in the 1962 revolution. This revolution replaced the Zaydi Imamate with the Yemen Arab Republic, sidelining the Zaydis politically and socially. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a charismatic leader and former member of Yemen's parliament, began to channel the Zaydi grievances into a potent political force.
Initially, the Houthis disguised themselves as a peaceful movement, holding protests and sermons in remote villages to avoid government crackdowns. However, this facade quickly crumbled, revealing a violent and extremist group. Hussein al-Houthi's inflammatory speeches condemned not just corruption and foreign influence but also called for the death of Jews and Americans. His followers, radicalized by his rhetoric, eagerly adopted the chant: "God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory for Islam."
The situation escalated dramatically in 2004 when the Yemeni government launched a military campaign against the Houthis, resulting in Hussein al-Houthi’s death. Instead of shutting the movement, his death turned him into a martyr, fueling the group's radicalization. His brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, took over leadership and transformed the group into a ruthless terrorist force. Over the next few years, the Houthis engaged in a series of brutal conflicts with the Yemeni government, known as the Saada Wars, which resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
An interesting fact is that during these early conflicts, the Houthis became notorious for their brutal guerrilla tactics. They used Yemen’s rugged terrain to their advantage, conducting ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, and engaging in propaganda warfare. They also began building a shadow government in areas they controlled, imposing their harsh interpretation of Islamic law on the local population.
The chaos of the Arab Spring in 2011 provided the Houthis with an opportunity to expand their influence further. The uprising led to the ousting of Yemen’s long-time president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and plunged the country into political turmoil. The Houthis capitalized on this instability, capturing the capital, Sana’a, in 2014. They forced President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee, effectively taking control of northern Yemen.
In a surprising move, the Houthis formed an alliance with their former enemy, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who sought to regain power. This alliance was short-lived, ending violently in 2017 when Saleh tried to negotiate with the Saudi-led coalition, leading to his assassination by the Houthis. This event underscored the Houthis' ruthless determination and their willingness to betray even their allies to achieve their goals.
The Houthis’ Anti-Semitic and Anti-American Stance
The Houthis' ideology is steeped in anti-Semitic and anti-American rhetoric. Their slogan, "God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory for Islam," is a testament to their deep-seated hatred. This virulent ideology is not just empty rhetoric; it manifests in their actions and alliances.
Historically, Yemen had a small but significant Jewish community. However, the rise of the Houthis has led to increased persecution and near-total eradication of Jews from Yemen. The few remaining Jews in the country live in constant fear for their lives, as the Houthis have made it clear that they see no place for them in Yemen.
The Houthis' Attacks in the Red Sea
In recent years, the Houthis have extended their reach beyond Yemen’s borders, posing a significant threat to international shipping in the Red Sea. The Red Sea is one of the world’s most crucial maritime chokepoints, and with Yemen being a strategic maritime location, the Houthis’ attacks on ships cause chaos to global trade and security.
These attacks include the targeting of oil tankers and other commercial vessels, causing substantial damage and instilling fear among maritime operators. The Houthis use sophisticated weaponry, including sea mines, anti-ship missiles, and drones, supplied largely by Iran. This alliance with Iran has not only bolstered their military capabilities but also aligned them more closely with Tehran's anti-Western and anti-Israeli stance.
Launching Drones and Rockets into Israel
One of the most alarming developments has been the Houthis’ launch of drones and rockets into Israel. In the recent 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the Houthis, according to the IDF International Spokesperson Nadav Shoshani, have fired more than 220 projectiles at Israelis with a suicide drone that hit the heart of Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring 10 others.
Most of the projectiles fired by the Houthis usually are intercepted before they reach Israel above the Red Sea -- but the recent drone strike on Tel Aviv eventually led the Israeli Air Force to strike the Hodeida port in Yemen, which is controlled by the Houthis and is used to transport Iranian weaponry into the hands of the Houthis. This was a clear message from Israel to both Iran and the Houthis - that any attack on Israel will come with a price to pay. The fire that continued to rage in the port after the attack has been seen as a victory to Israel and humiliation to the Houthis, who portrayed themselves as undefeatable.
The Role of Iran
The support from Iran has been pivotal in transforming the Houthis from a local insurgent group into a formidable regional threat. Iran provides the Houthis with advanced weaponry, training, and financial support. This relationship is part of Iran’s broader strategy to exert influence across the Middle East through proxy groups.
The Iranian connection also explains the Houthis' adoption of sophisticated drone technology. These drones have been used not only against Saudi Arabian targets but also in their attacks on Israel. The collaboration between Iran and the Houthis is a clear indication of the geopolitical stakes involved, with Iran using the Houthis as a tool to challenge its regional adversaries and destabilize the area further.
The War in Yemen And Its Effects
The internal conflict in Yemen, exacerbated by the Houthis' aggressive tactics, has led to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The war has caused thousands of deaths, widespread famine, and the displacement of millions. The Houthis have shown little regard for civilian lives, using tactics that include besieging cities, targeting civilian infrastructure, and recruiting child soldiers.
The instability in Yemen has also had a ripple effect across the region. Neighboring Saudi Arabia has felt the brunt of Houthi missile and drone attacks, prompting a protracted military intervention by a Saudi-led coalition.
The Houthis Are A Threat That Must Be Dealt With
The Houthis are not just a local insurgent group fighting for power in Yemen. They are a well-armed, radical Islamist, ideologically driven militant organization with a clear agenda of spreading chaos and terror across the Middle East and beyond. Their hatred for Jews, Israel, and America is not just a part of their rhetoric but is actively pursued through violent means.
The international community must recognize the Houthis for what they are: a significant threat to global peace and security. This requires a concerted effort to cut off their supply lines, particularly from Iran, and to support legitimate efforts to bring stability to Yemen. The world cannot afford to ignore the Houthis, as their ambitions and actions threaten to ignite broader conflicts and endanger lives far beyond the borders of Yemen.
It is time for decisive action to neutralize this threat and to support the long-suffering people of Yemen in their quest for peace and stability. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.
Comments