The Ascendancy of the Houthis in Yemen

Abstract

Yemen was called Arabia the Happy in ancient times. Today, Yemen is the poorest country in the Middle East, struggling with food shortages, civil war, famine, and epidemics. The years - long crisis is threatening the outbreak of the world's greatest famine, resulting in the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals in an already poor country. In 2015, after the Houthis took over Saana, the Saudi - led coalition launched a war on Houthis having an object to restore the power of internationally recognized government. However, this war just pushed Yemen into even deeper chaos, and now the danger of the conflict becoming a regional war has arisen. Attacks by Houthi rebels on merchant ships triggered the intervention of coalition forces led by Western powers. British and American ships and planes have attacked Houthi positions in Yemen. But who exactly are the Houthi? What is the background of the Red Sea conflict and why have the USA and the UK attacked them? The permanent power vacuum gave an opportunity not just for the Sunni terrorists of al - Qaida and the Islamic State to expand within the country but also the appearance of radical Shia Islamist movements as well, like Ansar Allah. This paper will analyse the political background of the Iranian - backed Houthi and the way how these proxy forces became dominant in the country.