| Ash-Shabab al-Muminin (الشباب المؤمن,) Believing Youth (BY) |
|
|---|---|
| Participant in Sa'dah War, 2011 Yemeni uprising | |
The Zulfiqar, sword of Shia leader Ali |
|
| Active | 1994-Present (armed since 2004) |
| Ideology | Zaydi Shi'a Islam |
| Groups | Houthi tribe, other Shi'a tribes in Sa'dah |
| Leaders | Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi † Abdul-Malik al-Houthi |
| Headquarters | Sa'dah, Yemen |
| Area of operations |
North Yemen and South-Western Saudi Arabia |
| Strength | 100,000[1] |
| Allies | South Yemen Movement [10] Hezbollah (alleged) |
| Opponents | Yemeni Government, Hashid, Islah Saudi Arabia (2009-2010) |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Sa'dah |
The Houthis (Arabic: الحوثيون = al-Ḥūthiyūn; alternately: (al-)Houthis) are a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as a "powerful clan,"[3] and by the title Ash-Shabab al-Muminin (Arabic: الشباب المؤمن, translated as Believing Youth (BY)[4] or Youthful Believers).[5] The group takes its name from Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, their former commander, who was reportedly killed by Yemeni army forces in September 2004.[6] Several other commanders, including, Ali al-Qatwani, Abu Haider, Abbas Aidah and Yousuf al-Madani (a son-inlaw of Hussein al-Houthi) have also been killed by Yemeni forces.[7] The Houthi brothers' father Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group.[8]
Membership of the group had between 1,000 and 3,000 fighters as of 2005[9] and between 2,000 and 10,000 fighters as of 2009.[10] In the Yemen Post it has been claimed, however, that they had over 100,000 fighters.[11] According to Houthi Expert Ahmed Al-Bahri the Houthis had a total of 100,000-120,000 followers, including both armed fighters and unarmed loyalists.[12]
The Houthis have asserted that their actions are for the defense of their community from the government and discrimination, though the Yemeni government has in turn accused them of wishing to bring it down and institute Shia religious law[13] (Houthis have told people they are “praying in the wrong way” by raising their arms, as is the custom among Sunnis in Yemen),[14] destabilise the government and "stirring anti-American sentiment".[15]
The Yemeni government has also accused the Houthis of having ties to external backers, especially the Iranian government (as Iran is a Shia-majority country).[16] In turn, the Houthis have countered with allegations that the Yemeni government is being backed by virulently anti-Shia external backers including al-Qaeda and the government of Saudi Arabia[17][18][19] (despite the fact that President Ali Abdullah Saleh is also Zaidi[20]).
Through their armed uprisings, the Houthis have managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of 'Amran Governorate, Al Jawf Governorate and Hajjah Governorate.[21]
By November 9, 2011, Houthis were said to be in control of two Yemeni governorates (Sa'dah and al-Jawf) and close to taking over their third governorate (Hajjah),[22] which would enable them to launch a direct assault on Yemeni capital Sana'a.[23]
The Houthis' independent administration includes the following territories: