Are the Houthis the new Hezbollah?

The Houthis, a militia that has recently captured the world's attention, were once a local movement based in the mountains of Saada in north-west Yemen. Initially armed with grievances against the Yemeni government, their conflict escalated, leading to their control of Sanaa in 2014. Since then, their influence has expanded, targeting international shipping and neighboring Gulf states, and aligning themselves with regional conflicts.

The emergence of the Houthis can be attributed to the weakness of Yemen's state institutions, a result of both domestic and foreign factors. Their transformation from a local group to a non-state armed actor that impacts maritime security and global trade is not solely due to their sectarian heritage, the challenge of building a centralized state, or their relationship with Iran.

Rather, it is a complex interplay of four factors: a reinterpreted sectarian memory, the struggle to establish a centralized state, a history of local wars, and a network of regional alliances centered on Iran.

Zaydism, the religious foundation of the Houthi movement, played a significant role in shaping their ideology and symbolism. However, it cannot be reduced to a single political project or viewed as inevitable. The Houthi movement, while drawing on elements of Zaydism, is a modern political and military force that has adapted and reinterpreted its historical inheritance to suit its current goals.

The group's ability to mobilize supporters through sectarian grievances and invoke historical symbols has allowed it to establish a powerful and influential presence in Yemen and beyond.