This article focuses on the Houthi movement in Yemen, its origins, and its implications for the global community. The recent drone attack in Abu Dhabi, which resulted in the death of two Indians, was claimed by the Shia Houthi rebels of Yemen, sparking concerns across the international stage. This incident stands as the latest manifestation of the continuing Houthi rebellion that has gripped northern Yemen for nearly a decade.
Houthis: Background and History
The Houthi movement traces its roots back to the “Believing Youth” organization, a Zaydi revivalist group established in the early 1990s by Hussein al-Houthi and his father, Badr al-Din al-Houthi. Stimulated by the Iranian revolution in 1979 and the rise of Hezbollah in the 1980s, the group started building extensive social and religious networks among the Zaydi population in Yemen. As the movement turned political, however, it came into conflict with the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh and his support for the US’ war on terror. The Houthis, who called themselves Ansar Allah, mobilised against the government and launched an insurgency that culminated in multiple military campaigns, leading to the capture of Sa’dah in 2010.
Understanding the Zaydis
Zaydis are the oldest branch of the Shia and named after Zayd Bin Ali, the great grandson of Imam Ali, Prophet Mohammed’s cousin and son-in-law who is revered by Shias, Sunnis, and Zaydis alike. While they are considered part of the Shia branch of Islam, their theological and practical beliefs differ from those of the ‘Twelver’ Shias found in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon.
Reason for Houthis’ Rise and Saudi Arabia’s Intervention
The Arab Spring protests in 2011, combined with the military victories of the Houthis and the support they received from Sadah, led to the increase of their power and influence in Yemen. As a result, the Zaydi-dominated north was divided into two land-locked provinces, triggering another insurgency. Saudi Arabia launched a military campaign against the Houthis in fear of Iran’s growing influence, but with no effective allies on the ground, it remains inconclusive.
Houthis’ Attack on UAE Explained
This is not the first time the Houthis have attacked the UAE. Largely made up of Southern Yemenis backed by the UAE, the Giants Brigades and the Joint Forces have recently started to target the Houthis, prompting them to retaliate.
Concerns
Yemen’s strategic location, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, plays a critical role in global oil shipments, making the ongoing conflict in the region a cause for international concern. Rising instability may lead to an increase in attacks from groups like al-Qaeda or IS affiliates.
Why it Matters to India
India cannot afford to overlook the situation given its reliance on oil security and the presence of over 8 million Indian expats in the region contributing to the USD 80 billion in remittance annually. India has taken measures such as launching Operation Rahat, a massive air and sea operation to evacuate Indian nationals from Yemen in the past, providing humanitarian aid, and facilitating the education of Yemeni nationals in Indian institutions.