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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Civic Brief • Middle East

Houthi movement

The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah, is a Zaydi revivalist and Shia Islamist political and military movement that emerged in northern Yemen in the 1990s.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, is a Zaydi revivalist and Shia Islamist political-military group from northern Yemen that has become a central force in the country's civil war.

What it is

The Houthi movement emerged in the 1990s in northern Yemen as a Zaydi religious and political revivalist current, founded by Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi. It opposes foreign influence, corruption, and the spread of Salafism, and is led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. The group controls large parts of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and is widely described as receiving support from Iran.

Why it matters

The Houthis are a major actor in the Yemeni civil war, having seized Sanaa in 2014 and fought the internationally recognized government. They have launched attacks on regional shipping and civilian targets, drawing international condemnation and sanctions. Their actions in the Red Sea have brought direct conflict with the United States and other foreign powers, affecting global trade and regional security.

Key details

The movement is named after its founder, Hussein al-Houthi, and is rooted in Zaydi Islam, a branch of Shia Islam. It is part of the anti-Western 'axis of resistance' and has been linked to Iranian support. The Houthis have been accused of attacks on commercial and civilian targets, and their control of northern Yemen has contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis.

In short

  • The Houthi movement is a Zaydi revivalist and Shia Islamist group from northern Yemen.
  • It captured Sanaa in 2014 and remains a key player in the Yemeni civil war.
  • The group is linked to Iran and has attacked regional shipping, drawing international sanctions.
  • Its actions affect Red Sea security and global trade routes.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may encounter the Houthi movement in coverage of Middle East security, Red Sea shipping disruption, humanitarian crises in Yemen, and Canadian foreign policy positions on regional conflict and sanctions.

Quick questions

What is the Houthi movement?
It is a Zaydi revivalist and Shia Islamist political-military movement from northern Yemen, also known as Ansar Allah.
Why are they called the Houthis?
The movement is named after Hussein al-Houthi, its founder and an early leader from the al-Houthi family.
Do the Houthis have links to Iran?
Multiple sources describe the movement as receiving support from Iran, though the extent and nature of that support are disputed.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Houthi-movement
    Supports: Origins, Zaydi roots, founder, and role in Yemen’s civil war.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67614911
    Supports: Alternate name Ansar Allah, origin in the 1990s, founder, and current leadership.
  3. U.S. National Counterterrorism Center — https://www.dni.gov/nctc/terrorist_groups/huthi_movement.html
    Supports: Description as a Shia Islamist political and military organization, support from Iran, and areas of operation.
  4. Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/12/who-are-yemens-houthis-a-basic-guide
    Supports: Control of Sanaa and northern Yemen, 2014 takeover, and the humanitarian and military conflict context.
  5. European Council on Foreign Relations — https://www.ecfr.eu/special/mena-armed-groups/houthis-yemen/
    Supports: Political-military role, control over territory and population, and origins in Zaydi revivalism.