From Iranian proxies to Giants Brigades: Who's who in Yemen conflict

Yemen's ongoing civil war has reignited, with exiled government forces backed by Saudi Arabia taking on Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The conflict resumed recently as the Houthis gained control over Yemen's Red Sea coast, prompting the government to launch a counter-offensive.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government is based in Aden and is led by an eight-member Presidential Leadership Council, with Rashad Al Alimi as the head. The government has around 122,000 troops and armament, but has limited control over some factions. Saudi Arabia has led the anti-Houthi coalition since 2015, providing fighter jets and a military budget of $72.6 billion last year. The UAE was part of the coalition until 2019.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are an Iran-backed group that controls large parts of Yemen. They possess a range of missiles and drones, and have attacked shipping in the Red Sea and launched strikes on Israel. Iran is a key supplier of equipment to the Houthis, although the group has also developed its own weapons. Led by Abdul-Malik Al Houthi, the group has carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly targeting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Pro-government factions include the Giants Brigades and Nation's Shield Forces, both of which are aiding the government's flanking maneuver against the Houthis. The Giants Brigades, estimated at 15,000 to 30,000 members, have intercepted alleged weapons shipments to the Houthis. The Nation's Shield Forces helped restore government control over the south after skirmishes last year.

The government has also called for support from Yemeni tribes, with the National Resistance Forces, led by Gen Tariq Saleh, being part of this coalition. However, rivalries exist within the anti-Houthi movement, with the Hadhrami Elite Forces, loyal to southern secessionists, seizing oilfields in the south before Saudi-backed forces regained control.