What is it?
Ansarallah (Arabic and Persian pronunciation Ansârullâh, "supporters of God") is a Zaydi Shia political and military movement that emerged in northern Yemen. Because its founder was Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, it is also known as the Houthis. English-language reports also use the spelling "Ansarullah."
According to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the movement began in northern Yemen in the late 1980s as a revival movement focused on protecting Zaydi religious traditions. It became politicized under Hussein al-Houthi and entered armed conflict with the Yemeni state in 2004. Hussein al-Houthi was killed that year, and his brother Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has led the movement since.
How does it work?
The Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, and the president and cabinet resigned in January 2015. In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition launched a military intervention on behalf of Yemen's internationally recognized government. The movement now controls most of northern Yemen and announces attacks through the spokesman of its own armed forces.
Starting in November 2023, the Houthis attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, and launched missiles and drones at Israel, citing the Gaza war. According to the Persian-language sources Farsçadan monitors, airports and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia also became Houthi targets in 2026.
Why does it matter?
According to CFR, Iran is the Houthis' main international backer and has reportedly given them military support, including weapons. Some experts estimate that this support began as early as 2009, and most agree the Houthis were receiving Iranian weapons by 2014. The movement is seen as part of the network Iran calls the "Axis of Resistance." As a result, the Saudi-Yemen front, Gulf security and energy markets are closely tied to Iran news.
Debates
The nature of the relationship is disputed. Regional specialists cited by CFR say the Houthis are open about their political ties with Iran, but that doesn't mean they take orders from Tehran. These specialists also note that the two sides follow different branches of Shia Islam. According to its Wikipedia entry, the United States listed the Houthis as Specially Designated Global Terrorists in January 2024, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also designate the movement a terrorist organization. Iran's state media, by contrast, usually calls the Houthis "Yemen's armed forces" or "the Yemeni government." The difference is a clear example of framing gaps in the Persian press.
