How Iran made the Houthis into such a problem
10 years ago, few people had heard of the Houthis. Here's how the Yemeni rebels have become Iran's "most powerful proxy."
Iran has transformed Yemen's Houthi rebels into a formidable force in the region, becoming the Middle East's central opponent of the United States and its allies. Once a little-known group in northwest Yemen, the Houthis have grown in both strength and influence over the past decade. Supported financially and militarily by Iran, they have evolved from a marginal group within Iran's Axis of Resistance into a powerful proxy with the capability to cause asymmetric damage through aerial attacks.
The Houthis' latest attacks on Saudi Arabia, which have killed at least 20 people at Saudi airports and threatened the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, highlight their growing power and influence. Saudi Arabia, a key American ally, is bearing the brunt of the Houthis' attacks, with the militants also targeting Saudi oil infrastructure. This has helped drive up global energy prices and threatened oil and gas shipments through key maritime chokepoints.
The Houthis' evolution from a relatively minor group within Iran's network to a dominant force is notable. They have adopted new tactics, including the use of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, to overwhelm Israel and Saudi defenses. Their strategy relies on ideological support from a largely impoverished population, allowing them to inflict damage to the Saudis and global economy despite economic hardship.
The real objectives of the Houthis are not merely retaliation, but power and recognition. They aim to seize control of all of Yemen and have the support of Iran to fund their expansion. The Houthis' march to real power began in 2012, when they capitalized on unrest following the Arab Spring to build a loyal following in the north of Yemen.
They seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, sparking a civil war with the Western- and Saudi-backed government. Since then, they have taken control of key state military and civilian powers, and have survived a first round of fighting with the Saudi-led military coalition from 2015 until 2022.
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