The Houthi Militia: Origin, History, and Terrorist Activities
Introduction
The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah ("Supporters of God"), is a Zaydi Shia political and armed movement that emerged in northern Yemen during the 1990s. What began as a revivalist religious and political movement gradually transformed into one of the Middle East's most heavily armed non-state actors. Today, the Houthis control Yemen's capital, Sana'a, and much of north-western Yemen, exercising de facto governmental authority over millions of people. See the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center profile and Arab News Houthi coverage.
Several governments—including the United States—have designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) because of attacks on civilians, commercial shipping, and military targets. Other governments and international bodies have not uniformly adopted the same designation, although many have condemned the group's attacks on international shipping and regional security. (Congress.gov)
Origins of the Houthi Movement
The movement traces its roots to the Believing Youth (al-Shabab al-Mu'min) organisation established in Yemen's Saada Governorate during the early 1990s. Its founders sought to revive Zaydi Islam, a branch of Shia Islam historically dominant in northern Yemen.
The movement became increasingly political under the leadership of Hussein بدر الدين الحوثي (Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi), from whom the group derives its popular name. Hussein criticised:
Following Hussein al-Houthi's death during fighting with Yemeni government forces in 2004, leadership passed to his brother Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who remains the movement's leader today. (DNI)
The Saada Wars (2004–2010)
Between 2004 and 2010, Yemen witnessed six rounds of armed conflict known as the Saada Wars.
Government forces attempted to suppress the growing insurgency, but the Houthis expanded their military capabilities and territorial influence.
During these conflicts the movement:
developed organised military structures,
gained experience in guerrilla warfare,
strengthened tribal alliances,
increasingly received alleged military support from Iran according to numerous Western governments and analysts, a claim Iran has historically disputed or downplayed. (Congress.gov)
The Arab Spring and Expansion
The political turmoil of Yemen's 2011 uprising dramatically altered the balance of power.
As the central government weakened, the Houthis expanded southward, capturing large areas with relatively limited resistance.
By September 2014 they had seized Sana'a, forcing the internationally recognised government into exile.
Their advance ultimately triggered a Saudi-led military intervention in March 2015, initiating one of the world's most devastating civil wars. (Congress.gov)
Relationship with Iran
Numerous governments, including Saudi Arabia, the United Nations, and independent analysts, have reported increasing Iranian support for the Houthis through weapons transfers, missile technology, drones, military advisers, and intelligence assistance. See the Council on Foreign Relations analysis and Arab News reporting on Iranian support allegations.
Military Capabilities
The Houthis possess one of the most sophisticated arsenals among non-state armed groups.
Their weapons include:
ballistic missiles,
cruise missiles,
armed drones,
naval drones,
naval mines,
anti-ship missiles,
air-defence systems.
These capabilities have enabled attacks hundreds of kilometres beyond Yemen's borders. (DNI)
Designation as a Terrorist Organisation
The Houthis have been designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States under its Foreign Terrorist Organisation framework. The designation has changed over time due to policy decisions before being restored in 2025. See the Congressional Research Service overview and Arab News report on U.S. sanctions and designation
Supporters of the designation cite:
attacks on civilians,
missile strikes on cities,
attacks against commercial shipping,
hostage-taking,
threats to international navigation.
Critics have argued that broad terrorism sanctions may complicate humanitarian assistance to civilians living in Houthi-controlled areas, leading to ongoing policy debates. (Reuters)
Major Terrorist and Militant Activities
Attacks on Yemeni Civilians
Throughout Yemen's civil war, the Houthis have been accused of:
indiscriminate shelling,
arbitrary detention,
torture,
recruitment of child soldiers,
laying anti-personnel landmines,
attacks affecting civilian infrastructure.
International organisations have documented allegations of violations by multiple parties to the conflict, including the Houthis. (Congress.gov)
Missile and Drone Attacks on Saudi Arabia
From 2015 onward the Houthis launched hundreds of:
ballistic missiles,
cruise missiles,
explosive drones
towards Saudi Arabia.
Targets included:
airports,
oil facilities,
military bases,
civilian infrastructure.
These attacks significantly escalated the regional conflict. (DNI)
Attacks on the United Arab Emirates
In 2022 the Houthis conducted missile and drone attacks against Abu Dhabi.
The attacks killed civilians and demonstrated the group's ability to strike well beyond Yemen's borders. (DNI)
Red Sea Shipping Attacks
Since late 2023, the Houthis have launched missiles, drones, and anti-ship attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait, disrupting one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes. See Arab News – Houthis coverage and Arab News – Houthi coverage.
Detention of UN Personnel
The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the detention of UN personnel and humanitarian workers by the Houthis and called for their immediate release. See Arab News – UN chief condemns Houthi detention of UN workers.
Suppression of Journalists
Human rights organizations and regional media have documented Houthi repression of journalists, lawyers, writers, and civil society activists in areas under their control. See Arab News – Lawyers in Sanaa face Houthi repression and Arab News – Two Yemeni writers disappear amid crackdown.
Recent Escalation (2026)
In 2026, amid broader regional tensions, the Houthis announced a maritime embargo targeting Saudi shipping and claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi infrastructure. They also warned commercial shipping companies against using Saudi ports, raising concerns over the security of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and global energy supplies. (AP News)
During 2026, the Houthis announced a maritime embargo targeting Saudi shipping and claimed missile and drone attacks on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea. In response, Saudi-led coalition forces conducted strikes against Houthi military positions. See Arab News – Saudi-led Coalition Forces strike Houthi sites as conflict flares and Arab News – Latest Houthi developments.
Humanitarian Impact
The conflict involving the Houthis has contributed to one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.
Millions of Yemenis have faced:
International organisations attribute responsibility for civilian suffering to multiple parties in the conflict, including Houthi forces, the internationally recognised Yemeni government, and the Saudi-led coalition. (Congress.gov)
The conflict in Yemen has produced one of the world's gravest humanitarian crises. Arab News has also reported extensively on the detention of humanitarian workers, disruptions to aid operations, and the impact on civilians living in Houthi-controlled areas. See Arab News – Houthis archive.
Leadership
The movement's principal leaders include:
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi – Supreme Leader
Yusuf al-Madani – Military Chief of Staff
Abdul Hakim al-Khaywani – Head of Security and Intelligence (DNI)
Conclusion
The Houthi movement evolved from a regional Zaydi revivalist movement into a powerful armed organisation that controls large parts of Yemen and plays a major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Its seizure of Sana'a in 2014, prolonged conflict with the internationally recognised Yemeni government, and extensive missile, drone, and maritime attacks have transformed it into one of the region's most influential non-state armed groups.
Its designation as a terrorist organisation by the United States reflects concerns over attacks on civilians, international shipping, and regional security. At the same time, the conflict in Yemen remains complex, with responsibility for violence and humanitarian suffering attributed by international observers to multiple actors. The Houthis continue to be a central factor in Yemen's instability and in wider security challenges across the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula. (DNI)
