The Houthis have made rapid advances in Yemen, sparking a dormant civil war back to life in the Middle East, threatening their neighbour Saudi Arabia, increasing pressure on international oil supply, in a region already reeling from the US and Israel’s war with Iran. But who are they?
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Once a small Shiite militia from Yemen's northern hills, the Houthis have grown into a fearsome fighting force, utilising modern military technology and growing their numbers allowing them to take swathes of territory along the Red Sea coast, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. That has implications for the whole world, making the militia a global threat - the importance of this crucial international shipping lane to the global economy has only grown amid the chaos seen in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis have shown remarkable speed and force to take territory from the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, widely recognised as the legitimate ruler of Yemen by the international community. For Iran, which has long-supplied the Houthis with financial and military backing, these Houthi successes are aiding their cause against the US and Israel.
But who exactly are this fundamentalist Shiite Islamist group? Why are they so opposed to Saudi Arabia, the US and Israel? How did they rise to power to control the lives of most of Yemen’s population, while Iran's proxy fighting forces, like Hamas and Hezbollah, have been severely weakened in recent years? And what is life actually like for the roughly 30 million Yemenis living under the control of a group the US has designated a terrorist organisation?
We look at all of that in this FourSight and what the latest Houthi successes mean for the Middle East and the rest of the world.
With thanks to Dr Elisabeth Kendall, Afrah Nasser, and Professor Vali Nasr.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - A brief history
02:20 - Houthi beginnings
04:04 - Insurgency and civil war
06:03 - Yemen since 2023
07:14 - Houthi strength
11:36 - Life under Houthi control
15:07 - Expert interview: Vali Nasr
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Presenter: Kiran Moodley
Producer: Harriet Tatham
Editor: Matthew Lucas
Motion Graphics: Ian Watkins
Series Producer: Kieron Bryan
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Picture credits: Yahya Arhab/EPA/Shutterstock & Mohammed al-wafi/Shutterstock
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