Houthi insurgency in Yemen

The Houthi insurgency in Yemen,[63][64] also known as

the Houthi rebellion, Sa'dah War, or Sa'dah conict,
is a civil war that originated in Northern Yemen.[65] It began in June 2004 when dissident cleric Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, head of the Zaidi Shia sect, launched an
uprising against the Yemeni government. Most of the
ghting has taken place in Sa'dah Governorate in northwestern Yemen although some of the ghting spread to
neighbouring governorates Hajjah, 'Amran, al-Jawf and
the Saudi province of Jizan.

Bahah tendered their resignations to parliament, which

reportedly refused to accept them.[72]

1 Background
In 1962, a revolution in North Yemen ended over 1,000
years of rule by Zaidi Imams, a branch of Shia Islam, who
claimed descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad
peace be upon him. Sa'dah, in the north, was their main
stronghold and since their fall from power the region
was largely ignored economically and remains underdeveloped. The Yemeni government has little authority in
Saada.[73]

The Yemeni government alleged that the Houthis were

seeking to overthrow it and to implement Sha religious
law. The rebels counter that they are defending
their community against discrimination and government
aggression.[66] The Yemeni government has accused Iran
During Yemens 1994 civil war, the wahhabis, an Islamic
of directing and nancing the insurgency.[67]
group adhering to a strict version of Sunni Islam found
In August 2009, the Yemeni Army launched a fresh in neighboring Saudi Arabia, helped the government in
oensive against the Houthis in the northern Sa'ada its ght against the secessionist south. Zaidis complain
province. Hundreds of thousands of people were dis- the government has subsequently allowed the wahhabis
placed by the ghting. The conict took on an in- too strong a voice in Yemen. Saudi Arabia, for its part,
ternational dimension on 4 November 2009 as clashes worries that strife instigated by the Shia sect so close to
broke out between the northern rebels and Saudi secu- Yemens border with Saudi Arabia could stir up groups in
rity forces along the two countries common border and Saudi itself.[73]
Saudis launched an anti-Houthi oensive. The rebels accuse Saudi Arabia of supporting the Yemeni government Although it has received little international coverage, the
in attacks against them. The Saudi government denied conict essentially pits Yemens Sunni-majority governthis.[68] Houthi leaders claim that United States involve- ment against Shia ghters, a conict that has added signifthe rising
ment in the war started on 14 December 2009 when the icance for many Arab countries worried about
[73]
inuence
of
Iran,
a
Shia
majority
country.
It
is
must to
[22]
US launched 28 air raids.
considering that Yemen is a country riven with resource
General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar commanded the Yemeni driven conict and regional factionalism above and besecurity forces during the conict and led all the govern- yond any notion of Sunni and Shia divisions.These are
ment oensives from 2004 until 2011, when he resigned some problems that is seen in Yemen. So this conict did
his post to defend protesters during the Yemeni Revolu- not start as a sectarian struggle between Saudi Arabia and
tion.[69]
Iran.[74]
A Houthi power grab in Sana'a escalated on 20 January The conict were sparked in 2004 by the governments
2015, the rebels attacked the presidents residence and attempt to arrest Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a Zaidis
swept into the presidential palace. President Abed Rabbo religious leader of the Houthis and a former parliamentarMansour Hadi was inside the residence as it came under ian on whose head the government had placed a $55,000
heavy shelling for a half-hour, but he was unharmed bounty.[73]
and protected by guards, according to Information Minister Nadia al-Sakkaf. Presidential guards surrendered
the residence after being assured that Hadi could safely
2 Motives and objectives
evacuate. The U.N. Security Council called an emergency meeting about the unfolding events. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon expressed concern When armed conict for the rst time erupted back in
over the deteriorating situation in Yemen and urged all 2004 between the Yemenis government and Houthis, the
sides to cease hostilities.[70][71] On 22 January, President then Yemenis president accused Houthis and other IsAbed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and Prime Minister Khaled lamic opposition parties of trying to overthrow the government and the republican system. However, Houthi
1

3 TIMELINE

leaders for their part rejected the accusation by saying 3.3 Round 3: November 2005 early 2006
that they had never rejected the president or the republican system but were only defending themselves against A third round of ghting broke out from November 2005
government attacks on their community.[75]
until early 2006. During this round, the pro-government
According to a February 2015 Newsweek report, Houthis Hamdan tribe, led by Sheikh Abdullah al-Awjari battled
are ghting for things that all Yemenis crave: govern- with pro-Houthi tribes and Houthis tried to assassinate
ghting
ment accountability, the end to corruption, regular utili- a Ministry of Justice ocial in Dhamar. The [81]
ended
before
the
Presidential
elections
that
year
and
ties, fair fuel prices, job opportunities for ordinary Yemein
March
2006,
the
Yemeni
government
freed
more
than
[76]
nis and the end of Western inuence.
600 captured Sha ghters.[82] There was no data with
In an interview with Yemen Times, Hussein Al-Bukhari, regards to casualties in 2006, but they were said to be siga Houthi insider said that Houthis preferable political sys- nicantly lower than those of the previous year.[52]
tem is a republic with elections where women can also
hold political positions, and that they do not seek to form
a Shia cleric-led government after the model of Islamic 3.4 Round 4: JanuaryJune 2007
Republic of Iran for we cannot apply this system in
Yemen because the followers of the Sha [Sunni] doc- A new spate of ghting broke out on January 28, 2007,
trine are bigger in number than the Zaydis [Shia].[77]
when militants attacked multiple government installations, killing six soldiers and injuring 20 more.[83][84]
Further attacks on January 31, left six more soldiers dead
and 10 wounded.[85] A further ten soldiers died and 20
3 Timeline
were wounded in an attack on an army roadblock near
the Saudi Arabian border on February 1.[86] Though there
Further information: Timeline of the Yemeni conict was no ocial conrmation of militant casualties in the
attacks, government sources claim three rebel ghters
(2011present)
were killed in a security operation following the January
31 attacks.[87]
In February, the government launched a major oensive
against the rebels involving 30,000 troops.[41] By Febru3.1 Round 1: JuneSeptember 2004
ary 19, almost 200 members of the security forces and
over 100 rebels had died in the ghting.[88] A further
From June to August 2004, government troops battled 160 rebels were killed in the subsequent two weeks.[89]
supporters of al-Houthi in the north.[78] Estimates of the A French student was also killed.[90]
dead range from 500 to 1,000.[52] On September 10,
A ceasere agreement was reached on June 16, 2007.
Yemeni forces killed al-Houthi.[79] Since then, the rebelThe rebel leaders agreed to lay down arms and go into
lion has been led by one of his brothers, Abdul-Malik alexile in Qatar (by whom the agreement had been mediHouthi.[75] His father, Badr Eddin al-Houthi, took over
ated), while the government agreed to release rebel pristhe position as the groups spiritual leader.[80]
oners, help pay for reconstruction and assist with IDPs returning home.[91] In total some 1,500 people were killed
by the conict in 2007, including 800 government troops,
600 rebels and 100 civilians.[52]
3.2 Round 2: MarchMay 2005
Between March and April 2005, some 1,500 people were 3.5 Round 5: MarchJuly 2008
killed in a resurgence of ghting between government
forces and supporters of the slain cleric.[52]
Armed incidents resumed in April 2008, when seven
In May 2005, the rebels rejected an oer of a presidential Yemeni soldiers died in a rebel ambush on April 29.[92]
pardon by President Ali Abdullah Saleh after their con- On May 2, 15 worshippers were killed and 55 wounded in
ditions for surrender were refused by the government and a bombing at the Bin Salman Mosque in Sa'dah as crowds
minor clashes continued. On May 21, the government re- of people left Friday prayers. The government blamed the
leased estimates of the impact of the rebellion, announc- rebels for the bombing, but Houthis group denied being
ing that it was responsible for 552 deaths, 2,708 injures, responsible.[66][93] Shortly after the attack, three soldiers
and four rebels died in overnight skirmishes.[94]
and over USD 270 million in economic damages.[75]
On, 23 June 2005, the rebels military commander
Abdullah al-Ruzami surrendered to Yemeni authorities. after tribal mediators worked out a deal with the
government.[80]

On May 12, clashes between Yemeni soldiers and rebels

near the border with Saudi Arabia killed 13 soldiers and
26 rebels.[95] During ghting in May 2008, a total of
1,000 government forces were killed and 3,000 injured.

3.6

Round 6: August 2009 February 2010

Some 70,000 people were displaced by the ghting.[52] that rebels had entered Saudi territory and attacked paPresident Saleh declared an end to ghting in the north- trols, and that a second soldier later died from wounds
ern Sadah governorate on July 17, 2008.[96]
sustained in the same clash.[105][106] On November 5,
Saudi Arabia responded by launching heavy air strikes on
rebels in northern Yemen, and moved troops nearer the
3.6 Round 6: August 2009 February border. Saudi government ocials said only that the air
2010
force had bombed Yemeni rebels who had seized a border
area inside the kingdom, which they said had now been
Main article: Operation Scorched Earth
recaptured. The ocials said at least 40 rebels had been
Yemeni troops, backed by tanks and ghter aircraft, killed in the ghting. The Saudi government adviser said
no decision had yet been taken to send troops across the
border, but made clear Riyadh was no longer prepared to
tolerate the Yemeni rebels.[105] The Saudi assault continued the following day, as Saudi residents near the southern border of Jizan Province were evacuated.[107] At the
same time, a Houthi spokesman reported to the media
that they had captured Saudi troops.[108] On 16 November, Yemen killed two Houthi commanders, Abbas Aaida
and Abu Haider. On 19 November, Yemeni forces took
control of al-Malaheez, killing the local commander Ali
al-Qatwani.[109]
Saudi army in Jizan before war against the Houthis, November
2009

launched a major oensive, code-named Operation

Scorched Earth,[97] against the rebel stronghold in northern Yemen on August 11, 2009, after the government
promised to use an iron st against the rebels. On
September 17, more than 80 people were killed in an
air raid on a camp for displaced people in northern
Yemen.[98]
The conict took on an international dimension late in the
month. Clashes were reported between the Houthis and
Saudi security forces near the border.[99] Also, Yemeni
ocials captured a boat in the Red Sea that was transporting anti-tank shells and, according to some reports,
ve Iranian instructors sent to help the Houthis.[100]
Various ocial Iranian sources responded, calling this
claim a politically motivated fabrication, and stating that
the ship was traveling for business activities carrying no
consignment.[101] In early November the rebels stated
that Saudi Arabia was permitting Yemeni army units to
launch attacks from across the border at a base in Jabal
al-Dukhan, charges which were denied by the Yemeni
government.[102] In late October, heavy clashes in the
area of Razih led to the Houthis capturing two military headquarters and killing Yemeni commander General Amr Ali Mousa Al-Uuzali[36] In early November,
General Ali Salem al-Ameri and regional security chief
Ahmed Bawazeir were killed in a Houthi ambush as they
were returning from Saudi Arabia.[37]
The conict spilled into neighbouring Saudi Arabia for
the rst time since erupting in 2009 on November 4
when rebels shot dead a Saudi security ocer in a crossborder attack. The rebels took control of a mountainous section inside Saudi Arabia, in the border region
of Jabal al-Dukhan[99] and occupied two villages inside
Saudi territory.[103][104] Saudi Arabias news agency said

Houthi leaders claim that U.S. involvement started on 14

December when the U.S. launched 28 air raids.[22] At
least 120 people were killed and 44 injured by the alleged US air raids on the regions of Amran, Hajjah and
Sa'dah in North Yemen. Houthis claimed air raids on
18 December killed 63 civilians, including 28 children
and injured at least 90 people.[110] U.S. President Barack
Obama claimed he had authorised the strikes against alQaeda.[111] On 20 December, Saudi air strike killed some
civilians. According to a spokesman for the Houthis, a
Saudi attack killed 54 people in the town of Al Nadheer in the northern province of Sa'dah. The group also
claimed that Saudi forces were advancing on the nearby
town of Zawa, also in Sa'dah, and had red more than
200 shells.[112]
On December 22, the Houthis stated that they have managed to repulse Saudi Arabian forces trying to inltrate
into the province of Sa'dah, killing an unspecied number of Saudi soldiers in a battle in the border region.[113]
The ghting between Yemeni and Saudi forces and
Houthis killed at least 119 Yemeni government forces,
263 Houthis, 277 civilians and 7 foreign civilians.[52]
Saudi casualties were conrmed at 82 at the time.[114]
With more soldiers killed in subsequent clashes and missing soldiers being found dead, however, the casualties
rose to 133 killed by January 23, 2010. The number of
missing was put at six.[56]
In early January 2010, the Houthis chose the Iraqi cleric
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to mediate in their political stando with the Yemeni government and to nd a solution to the conict. This choice was criticized by Saudi
cleric Mohammad al-Ari, a preacher at Riyadhs central mosque, who dismissed al-Sistani as an indel and
debauched. The remarks by the Saudi cleric were considered extremely insulting by Shias around the world,

3 TIMELINE

causing major outrage in some Shi'a populated countries that soldiers in Amshia Bsan region were creating an
like Iraq, Iran and Lebanon.[115][116]
army stronghold on Mount Guide. The report came as
On January 13, 2010, Operation Blow to the Head was the Yemeni government blamed Houthi ghters for relaunched in an attempt by the government to capture the cent ethnic clashes which had killed 11 people, including
city of Sa'adah. Security forces claimed they killed 34 two soldiers, and for the kidnapping of two people in a
and
and arrested at least 25 Houthis, as well as killing al- market. The Houthis have denied these allegations [125]
have
claimed
that
it
was
the
work
of
the
government.
Qaeda in Yemen leader Abdullah al-Mehdar within the
next two weeks of ghting.[117]
[118]

On January 25, 2010, the Houthis oered a truce

and withdrew from 46 positions which they held in Saudi
territory. Houthi leader Abdul Malek al-Houthi said
they would stop ghting to prevent further civilian casualties and the withdrawal was a gesture for peace,[119]
but warned that if the Saudis were to continue ghting
the Houthis would go over into open warfare. A Saudi
general announced that the Houthis had stopped ghting and were not on Saudi land anymore and that in response the Saudis also stopped ghting saying, The battle has ended by Gods will. But the Saudi king denied
the Houthis had withdrawn saying they were forced out,
and declared military victory for the end of their conict
with the Houthis.[120] There have however been allegations that the Saudis launched new air raids on January
29, thus breaking the truce.[121]
On January 1 the Yemeni government oered a conditional cease-re. The cease-re had ve conditions
which were the re-establishment of safe passage on roads,
the surrender of mountain strongholds, a full withdrawal
from all local authority property, the return of all military
and public equipment seized during hostilities and the release of all the detained civilians and soldiers. On January
30, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi released a video wherein he
blamed the government for the recent round of ghting
but said that: Nevertheless, and for the fourth time, I announce our acceptance of the [governments] ve conditions [for an end to the conict] after the aggression stops
... the ball is now in the other partys court.[122] After the
truce was accepted on January 30, however, there were
still some clashes between the Houthis and both Saudi and
Yemeni forces.[123] Therefore, on January 31 the Yemeni
government rejected the truce and launched a new round
of attacks, killing 24 people.[124]

3.7

2010 conict with pro-government

tribes

On July 20, 2010, clashes broke out between Houthis and

members of an army-backed tribe, led by Sheikh Sagheer
Aziz, in the region of Souan. A Houthi commander declared that the clashes had broken out because of Yemeni
Army attacks on Houthis and local pro-Houthi tribes.
Forty-nine people were reported killed in the clashes, including 20 tribal and 10 Houthi ghters. The Houthis
also managed to surround the Yemeni military bases in
the region.[126] Over the following days the Yemeni army
and pro-government Bin Aziz tribes continued to clash
with the Houthis. The government claimed that in the following two days, 20 ghters were killed on each side. A
Houthi spokesman denied these claims, stating only three
Houthi ghters had been killed in the clashes. Both sides
have blamed each other for starting the clashes.[127] The
UN expressed great concern about the situation in North
Yemen.[128]
On July 23, Houthi spokesman Vayf-Allah al-Shami said
calm had returned to the region and that a government
committee was trying to mediate a cease-re between the
Houthis and the Bin Aziz tribes in the Souan region.[129]
On July 27, Houthis seized a military post at al-Zaala
in Harf Sufyan, capturing 200 soldiers of the armys
Republican Guard. Tribal sources claimed they had inicted 200 fatalities on the Houthis in al-Amsheya while
suering only 30 dead themselves. Houthi spokesman
Abdul Salam denied the high number of killed and said
the claims were highly exaggerated. Houthis said they recovered the bodies of 17 of their ghters, including that of
rebel commander Abu Haidar, near the house of Sheikh
Saghir Aziz in Al-Maqam, near Al-Zaala.[130]
On July 29, the Houthis released the 200 soldiers they had
captured as a goodwill gesture. In total some 70 people
had died since the clashes started.[131]
On November 22, one soldier was killed and two
wounded in a roadside bombing. The next day 23 Houthi
ghters and supporters were killed and 30 injured by a
car bomb targeting a Shi'a religious procession in al-Jawf
province.[132][133] On November 26, two Shi'a mourners were killed and eight injured by a bomb while on
their way to Sa'adah city to attend Badreddin al-Houthi's
funeral.[133]

In April, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam declared that rebels had captured the Manaba district in
Sa'dah, with little government resistance. Government
troops declared they had killed 30 Houthis who had tried In total, between 195 and 281 people were killed during
to penetrate into Harf Sufyan District.
this round violence, with the majority of the casualties on
On July 17, 2010, the Houthis warned on their website the Houthi side.[134]
that the government was preparing for another oensive
against the Houthis. They said the government had been
digging trenches from the Sana'a to Sa'ada. They claimed
the army was trying to amass servicemen in villages and

3.9

3.8

PostSaleh (20122015)

2011 Yemeni Revolution

Main article: Yemeni Revolution

A major demonstration by over 16,000 protestors took
place in Sana'a on 27 January.[135] On 2 February, President Saleh announced he would not run for reelection
in 2013 and that he would not pass power to his son.
On 3 February, 20,000 people protested against the government in Sana'a,[136][137] and others in Aden,[138] in a
Day of Rage called for by Tawakel Karman.[139] On the
same day, soldiers, armed members of the General Peoples Congress and many others held a pro-government
counter-demonstration in Sana'a.[140]

5
On November 9, after several days of heavy ghting, the
Houthis managed to break through defense lines of the
pro-government Kashir and Aahm tribes in Hajjah Governorate, seizing control of the Kuhlan Ash Sharaf District and advancing towards the port of Midi, thereby
gaining access to the sea. Through Hajjah, the Houthis
would be able to launch an assault on the Yemeni capital Sana'a.[154] By taking Kuhlan Ash Sharaf, the Houthis
managed to gain control over a highway linking San'a to
the sea.[149]

On November 15, clashes between Houthis and Islah

party militia restarted in al-Jawf, after an Islah party
member tried to blow himself up during the al-Ghadeer
festival, in Al Maton District but was captured and killed
by the Houthis. A total of 10 people died in the ensuing
On February 27, Abdul Malik al-Houthi announced sup- ghting.[155]
port for the pro-democracy protests and the eort to On December 19, Houthis stormed a Sunni Islamist
eect regime change, as had happened in Tunisia and school in the Shaharah District of 'Amran governorate,
Egypt. Following these statements, large crowds of injuring one teacher and expelling all teachers and stuHouthis joined in protests across Northern Yemen.[141]
dents from the school. Houthis then took up positions
Houthi ghters entered Sa'ada on March 19,[142] engaging in a drawn out battle with the pro-government forces
of Sheikh Uthman Mujalli.[143] They seized control of
the city on March 24,[1] after destroying Sheikh Mujallis
house[143] and forcing the local governor to ee.[2] The
Houthis established military checkpoints at the entrances
to the city[143] after police deserted their posts and were
relocated to army camps elsewhere.[3]

inside the school.[156]

On July 8, 23 people were killed in ghting between the

Houthis and the opposition Islah party in al-Jawf governorate. The ghting erupted after the governor of al-Jawf
ed, opposition tribes took control of the governorate,
and the Houthis refused to hand over a Yemeni military
base which they had seized several months earlier.[144]
Fighting continued until July 11, with more than 30 people killed.[145] The Houthis claimed that some elements
of the pro-Islah militias had links to al-Qaeda.[146]

ary 2012. Saleh returned home the same day to attend Hadis presidential inauguration.[161] After months
of protests, Saleh had resigned from the presidency and
formally transferred power to his successor, marking the
end of his 33-year rule.[162]

On 23 November, Saleh signed a power-transfer agreement brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council in
Riyadh, under which he would transfer his power to
his Vice-President within 30 days and leave his post as
president by February 2012, in exchange for immunity
from prosecution.[157][158] Although the GCC deal was
accepted by the JMP, it was rejected by many of the
On March 26, Houthi rebels declared the creation of their protesters and the Houthis.[159][160]
own administration in Saada Governorate, independent A presidential election was held in Yemen on 21 Februfrom Yemeni authorities. A former arms dealer was ap- ary 2012. With a reported 65 percent turnout, Abd Rabpointed governor by the Houthis, the previous governor buh Mansur al-Hadi won 99.8% of the vote, and took
having ed to Sanaa.[2][3]
the oath of oce in Yemens parliament on 25 Febru-

On July 28, over 120 people were killed as the Houthis

launched an oensive to take over government buildings in al-Jawf.[147] Fighting in Jawf lasted for four
months, in which time Sunni tribes claimed to have killed
470 Houthis, while acknowledging 85 casualties of their
own.[148] The Houthis eventually took control of al-Jawf
governorate.[149]
In August a car-bombing killed 14 Houthis in al-Jawf.
[150]
Although the Houthis initially blamed the US and
Israel for the bombing, al-Qaeda eventually claimed
responsibility,[151] the organization having declared a holy
war against the Houthis earlier that year.[152] In early
November clashes erupted between Houthis and a Sala
group in Sa'dah, leaving one Salast dead.[153]

Throughout the year, some 200 people were killed in

clashes between Houthis and Sala militias in Sa'dah
province.[163]

3.9 PostSaleh (20122015)

On February 26, 2012, heavy ghting occurred in Hajjah governorate as Houthis fought Sunni tribesmen loyal
to the Al-Islah party. At least seven ghters from the Hojjor tribe were killed and nine others injured, while in the
Ahem area nine bodies were found, belonging to Houthi
ghters. Houthis launched an assault backed by artillery
on al-Jarabi area, al-Hazan village, al-Moshaba mountain, and Ahem police station to take control of the alMoshaba mountain. Parts of the Kushar District were put
under siege[164] since clashes erupted in that province between Houthis and the al-Zakari tribe in November.[165]

6
In early February, over 55 people had been killed during
sectarian violence in Kushar.[166] During February and
March some 27 people were killed and 36 injured due to
mines in Hajjah. A total of 600 were killed in clashes in
Hajjah between November 2011 and April 2012, mainly
in Kushar and Mustaba Districts.[167]

3 TIMELINE
36 Islah men captured by the Houthis. After a ceasere was agreed on, Houthis withdrew from the town and
released the prisoners they had taken.[163] A group of
Houthis remained in Owaidan mosque.[180]

On March 8, a high-ranking military commander and six

of his bodyguards were killed by Houthi gunmen in the
northern province of Amran[168]
3.10
On March 23, a suicide bomber targeted a Houthi march
in Sa'dah, no casualties were reported.[169] On March
25, some 14 people were killed and three injured in a
car bombing in al-Hazm of al-Jawf province, targeting
a Shi'a gathering near a school.[170] Another 8 Houthis
were killed in an attack by Salas on April 21.[171] From
June 2 to June 4, Houthis clashed with Sala militias in
Kataf districtm leaving several dead.[172] Houthis claim
to have taken over three Sala positions and conscated
Saudi weapons during the clash.[173]
On August 21, clashes broke out between Houthis and
tribes in Ash Shahil District of Hajjah after Houthis allegedly shot two women in the district. As the ghting
broke out, Houthis retreated from al-Amroor area and
retreated to the mountains between Janeb al-Sham and
Janeb al-Yemen. Houthis were said to control several
mountains in the region including mount Azzan and the
governorate center that overlooks al-Mahabishah, Qa
Shamer and Ku'aydinah Districts. A truce was signed between the two sides on August 30.[174] Clashes reignited
on September 6 and Houthis managed to seize control
of ve schools, a medical center and a police station.
Some 30 people were killed in the battles.[175] Afterwards Houthis claimed civilian areas were being shelled
by al-Islah, while MP Ali al-Ma'amari accused Houthis
of killing a worker from Taiz.[176]
In September and October, Houthis led may protests
in Sana'a as part of the 2012 Anti-US protests caused
by the release of Innocence of Muslims. Houthi slogans were hung all across the old city of Sana'a and
Shi'a majority areas during the protests.[177] This has
led to Houthis expanding their control in Sana'a Governorate and other areas around the capital, particularly Khwlan and Sanhan Districts and the town Shibam
Kawkaban in al-Mahwit.[178] Al-Juraf district was also
named as a Houthi stronghold, where they had large numbers of weapons stationed. Sunni sources have alleged
that Houthis have used the protests to smuggle weapons
and ghters from areas surrounding Sana'a into Sana'a
city itself, mainly in the old city.[179]
During one of the protests, in Raydah, Amran, clashes
broke out between Houthis and Islahi gunmen after the
Islahi gunmen interrupted a Houthi mass rally, denouncing Innocence of Muslims and the US government, on
September 21. Two people were killed during the clash
and three Islahi gunmen were captured.[176] Fighting continued until September 23, leaving 16 ghters dead and

201415: Toppling the Yemeni Government

A Houthi ocial declares the dissolution of parliament in Sana'a

on 6 February 2015.

Main articles: Battle of Sana'a (2014) and 201415

Yemeni coup d'tat
On 18 August 2014, the Houthis began a series of demonstrations in Sana'a against increased fuel prices. On 21
September, the Houthis took control of Sana'a, after
which Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa resigned
and the Houthis signed a deal for a new unity government
with other political parties. The protests were marked
by clashes between the Houthis and the government and
also clashes between the Houthis and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.[181] At least 340 people were killed on the
outskirts of the Yemeni capital in one week of ghting
between the Shiite rebels and Sunni militiamen before
the city fell.[182] The new government was sworn in on
9 November, although the Houthis and General Peoples
Congress announced they would not take part[183]
A spokesman for the Houthi group has accused Yemens
President Hadi of arming members of Al-Qaeda in the
Marib province, east of the country, in order to create a
new security crisis.[184]
The crisis intensied as Houthi militants attacked the
presidential palace and private residence in January 2015,
quickly seizing control of both. On 22 January, President
Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and his ministers resigned.[185]
The Houthis declared themselves in full control of the
government on 6 February, dissolving parliament and
putting a Revolutionary Committee led by Mohammed
Ali al-Houthi in charge of the country.[186]

4.2

United States

3.11 2015: Saudi-led intervention (Operation Decisive Storm)

Main article: Operation Decisive Storm
On March 26, 2015, Saudi Arabia and a coalition of
regional states launched airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in an operation called Operation Decisive Storm.[187] The military coalition included the United
States who was helping with the planning of airstrikes,
as well as logistical and intelligence (spying) support.[188]
Other coalition states included Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Pakistan, Jordan, and Sudan
who provided direct military support (airplanes).[189] Initial strikes left 18 civilians dead and 24 other wounded,
including women and children.[189]
Initial reactions from Houthi spokesman Mohammed Al
Bukhaiti called the military action a declaration of war on
Yemen.[189] Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad
Zarif demanded immediate halt of the attacks, saying
Military action from outside of Yemen against its territorial integrity and its people will have no other result
than more bloodshed and more deaths.[189] Some analysts saw it in a broader context as a proxy war between
Iran and Saudi Arabia.[189]

Alleged foreign involvement

4.1

Iran and Hezbollah

There have been a number of alleged Iranian involvements in the insurgency to aid the Houthis, including:

7
for the Houthi rebels, and for South (Yemens)
secession. The sources added that those Hezbollahallied gures informed al-Bidh that the partys top
ocials do not want to meet with him and that they
do not approve the attribution of Hezbollahs name
with what is happening in Yemen, or to appear as
supporting to any rebellion. Ibrahim al-Mussawi,
Head of Hezbollahs Media Unit, told Alarabiya.net
that his party denies the report about an alleged
secret visit.[191]
High-ranking ocials from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were said to have secretly met with
Houthi rebels and Hezbollah in Yemen to coordinate joint military operations against Saudi positions
along the border. Pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily
said Arab and Egyptian sources uncovered that a
number of intelligence services in the region have
learned of the three-way meeting which also aimed
at developing a plan to escalate the military situation
along the Saudi-Yemeni border. It said the highlevel meeting which took place in November, 2009
was the most prominent evidence of direct Iranian
involvement in the support of Houthi rebels nancially, militarily and logistically.[192]
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi on 13
December 2009 urged Iran to crack down on Iranian groups he accused of aiding Houthi rebels
in northern Yemen and held Irans government
partly to blame. He said: Religious (Shiite) circles and groups in Iran are providing aid to the
Huthis, However, Iran has repeatedly denied such
accusations.[193]
On 25 May, Iran rst deployed warships to the Gulf
of Aden to combat piracy in Somalia.[194] On 20
January 2010, On 18 November, a second group
of Iranian warships came to the Gulf of Aden, at
the same time as Saudi Arabia imposed a blockade
on Houthi-controlled coasts and launched a crackdown on Houthi ships delivering weapons to the
Houthis.[194] Iran dispatched its 5th eet to the Gulf
of Aden.[195] Some have alleged that the Iranian
Navy is operating there to help supply the Houthis
with weapons and counter the Saudi naval power in
the area rather than to ght Somali pirates.[194]

The Saudi and Yemeni governments both accuse

Iran of helping the Houthis. Iran, they say, has secretly landed arms on the Red Sea coast. In October,
2009, Yemens government said its navy intercepted
an arms-carrying Iranian vessel. Yemens statecontrolled press claims Houthi rebels have been
trained in an Iranian-run camp across the Red Sea
in Eritrea. Yemens president, Ali Abdullah Saleh,
says members of Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah
militia are teaching them. The Yemeni authorities
also darkly note that the Houthis long-time leader,
Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, who died in battle in
2004, used to visit Qom, one of Shia Islams holiest 4.2 United States
places.[190] None of these accusations have yet been
borne out by independent observers and the Iranians On December 2009, According to The New York Times,
the United States has provided weapons and logistical
deny any involvement.
support to Yemeni government strikes against suspected
Saudi-owned Al Arabiya claimed that well- hide-outs of Al Qaeda within its borders. The ocials
informed sources are saying that the president said that the American support was approved by Presof the former South Yemen (Ali Salim al-Bidh) ident Obama and came at the request of the Yemeni
conducted a secret visit to the Lebanese capital government.[196] Houthis claimed in a statement that the
Beirut last October (2009), and tried to contact U.S. has used modern ghter jets and bombers in its ofgures close to Hezbollah aiming to win its support fensive against the Yemen ghters.[22]

Houthi leaders however claim that US involvement

started on 14 December when the US launched 28 air
raids.[22] At least 120 people were killed and 44 injured
by the alleged US air raids on the regions of Amran, Hajjah and Sa'ada in North Yemen, a Houthi leader was
quoted as saying: The US air force perpetrated an appalling massacre against citizens in the north of Yemen as
it launched air raids on various populated areas, markets,
refugee camps and villages along with Saudi warplanes,
The savage crime committed by the US air force shows
the real face of the United States. It cancels out much
touted American claims of human rights protection, promotion of freedoms of citizens as well as democracy.[197]
The Houthi claimed that new air raids on 18 December
killed 63 civilians, including 28 children and injured at
least 90 people.[110]

REFERENCES

5.1 Use of child soldiers

See also: Military use of children
UNICEF and Islamic Relief were reported as condemning both the Yemeni military and Houthi rebels
for abusing children by forcing them to ght for their
cause.[205][206][207] In November 2009, over 400 children
walked to the UNDP oce in Sana'a, to protest against
the alleged Houthi abuse of childrens rights.[208]

6 See also
Human rights in Yemen

On June 17, 2011, following Friday prayers, tens of thousands of protestors rallied in Sa'dah against US interference in Yemen.[198]

List of modern conicts in the Middle East

The Houthis blamed US intelligence forces of carrying

out a bombing in August 2011 which killed 14 Houthi
ghters.[199]

South Yemen insurgency

4.3

Other
Jordan: It has been alleged that Jordan deployed commandos to ght alongside the Saudis during their oensive in Northern Mount Al-Dukhan
and that Saudis sent the Jordanian commandos to
ght in Northern Yemen. They also sent auxiliary
units to support Saudi forces.[17] By December 2009
it was alleged that over 2,000 Jordanian soldiers
were ghting at the front.[19]
Morocco: It was alleged that Morocco have
sent hundreds of elite ghters, mainly para-troopers
trained for counter-insurgency operations, to aid the
20092010 Saudi oensive.[19]
Pakistan: It was alleged in Pakistani news media and newspapers that the Pakistan government
had sent contingent of special forces to join Yemeni
counter insurgency operations in Sa'dah.[200]

Humanitarian eects

Military of Yemen

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8 External links

[189] Saudi and Arab allies bomb Houthi positions in Yemen.

Al Jazeera. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.

Demystifying Yemens Conict (Midwest Diplomacy)

[190] Yemens war: Pity those caught in the middle. The

Economist. Retrieved 17 October 2014.

Timeline: Yemen (BBC)

[191] Hizbullah Denies Report about Former South Yemen

President Visiting Beirut to Demand Support for Huthis.
Naharnet. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
[192] Secret Meeting in Yemen between Iran, Huthi, Hizbullah
Ocials. Naharnet. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
[193] Yemeni FM: Iran Must Curb Groups Aiding Huthi
RebelsYemeni FM: Iran Must Curb Groups Aiding
Huthi Rebels. naharnet. 2009-12-13. Archived from
the original on 2010-01-23.
[194] Iran Sends 6 Warships to International Waters in 'Saber
Rattling' Move. Fox News. 2009-05-25.
[195] http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=116618&
sectionid=351020101
[196] Shanker, Thom; Landler, Mark (18 December 2009).
U.S. Aids Yemeni Raids on Al Qaeda, Ocials Say.
New York Times.
[197] US ghters pound Sa'ada, kill 120. Press TV. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
[198] Tehran Times Yemenis stage massive anti-U.S. rallies,
June 18, 2011.
[199] Suspected al-Qaida car bomb kills 14 Shi'ite Houthi
rebels in Yemen: ocial. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
[200] Press TV Pakistan joins war against Houthis in Yemen:
Report, 27 January 2009.
[201] YEMEN: Rebel leader calls for international aid. IRIN.
2008-05-06. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
[202] Saudi king visits area of Yemen border conict. Al Arabiya. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
[203] 10,000 houses for Jazan displaced. Arab News. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2009.

YEMEN: The conict in Saada Governorate analysis, IRIN, 24 July 2008

Yemen A Microcosmos of the Middle East, The
Omer Gendler Watch (August 25, 2009) - blog
Armed Conict in Northern Yemen (HRW)
Prole: Yemens Houthi ghters

14

9 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

9.1

Text

Houthi insurgency in Yemen Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houthi%20insurgency%20in%20Yemen?oldid=654285499 Contributors: William Avery, Fred Bauder, Etherialemperor, WhisperToMe, Tpbradbury, Dimadick, PBP, Beland, Rich Farmbrough, Richard
Cane, Viriditas, Geo Swan, Nightstallion, Tabletop, Mandarax, Tim!, Koavf, Feydey, Nogburt, Mark J, Malhonen, Russavia, Bgwhite,
Chaser, Member, Joshdboz, Awiseman, Black Falcon, Maphisto86, Malekhanif, De Administrando Imperio, SmackBot, Midway, Kudzu1,
Hmains, Chris the speller, Cattus, Jprg1966, Hibernian, Arsonal, George Ho, Tdl1060, Derek R Bullamore, Publicus, Sijo Ripa, Fsotrain09,
Uq, Yaris678, Cydebot, Travelbird, Daniel J. Leivick, Sa.vakilian, Ebyabe, Thijs!bot, Omgfreshbeatsnap, Nick Number, Darklilac, Shannon.2710, MER-C, Top Gun, Magioladitis, Email4mobile, Ksanyi, R'n'B, CommonsDelinker, Fconaway, BR64, Dinkytown, KazakhPol,
Neutron Jack, Kray0n, Olegwiki, Signalhead, Hugo999, Saad64, Messir, XavierGreen, Umar99, AnomanderDrake, DennyColt, Cerebellum, Oren neu dag, Hoboron, Kermanshahi, So far not banned, Calliopejen1, Mimihitam, Jmj713, Farolif, Mild Bill Hiccup, Ktr101, Mkativerata, Searcher 1990, Dunseath, DumZiBoT, Direct action, Terry J. Carter, Kormin, Bilsonius, Wikiarabia, Addbot, Jojhutton, Download, Lihaas, Manowar3745, Zorrobot, Omega933, Ettrig, Wikifan12345, Ben Ben, Drpickem, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Reenem, KamikazeBot,
AnomieBOT, Knowledgekid87, Brightgalrs, Futur3g4ry, LilHelpa, Xqbot, Jersay, The Banner, Ameen Mohammad, GrouchoBot, No More
Mr Nice Guy, Coltsfan, Ashrf1979, MerlLinkBot, Green Cardamom, FrescoBot, LucienBOT, Saudijp, D'ohBot, HCPUNXKID, Kassjab,
Gire 3pich2005, Full-date unlinking bot, Zoeperkoe, , Underlying lk, IRISZOOM, Mikroblgeovn, MegaSloth, RjwilmsiBot, TRUZaydi1, VernoWhitney, Slon02, Abu Beirutti, EmausBot, Artefactual, News surveys, Anakida, United-Yemen, Gfoley4, GoingBatty, Sentinel R, Disambigutron, Werieth, ZroBot, Alcea setosa, H3llBot, Greyshark09, Mdmday, Someone65, Labnoor, Kendite,
EkoGraf, Asmiya, Mr. Ibrahem, Parsa1993, Omar-toons, AndyTheGrump, HandsomeFella, Nakata Osaka, Catlemur, American Idiot1,
Dms77, Tomseattle, North Atlanticist Usonian, Helpful Pixie Bot, BG19bot, Sematz, PhnomPencil, MrPenguin20, FutureTrillionaire,
K2qh243, Mideastwhoswho, Takahara Osaka, Glacialfox, MRC37, Reader1987, Alhanuty, Pravdavoin, 23 editor, Stumink, LightandDark2000, Charles Essie, Jackninja5, Mabuhay92, Popcorn1101, Alhadi2007, Alexismocam, Fanxiuz, Germanjohn55, B14709, Damin
A. Fernndez Beanato, Agrso, Hanibal911, Jem87, Monkbot, Ceosad, Zakky Hirza, , Pctn, WikiCorrectah, Strivingsoul,
SaudAlkhaldi, ElCommandanteVzl, Bearcve, Bohemian Baltimore, 0aali0, I love Islamic, StanMan87, Nykterinos, Aapatel96y, 0ali1,
Shah9019, SomeGirl777, Jerodlycett, Mr.User200, Savior59, HC90 and Anonymous: 117

9.2

Images

File:Bluetank.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Bluetank.png License: Public domain Contributors:

Own work Original artist: LA2
File:Emblem_of_the_Yemeni_Air_Force.svg Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Emblem_of_the_
Yemeni_Air_Force.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: MrPenguin20
File:Flag_of_Bahrain.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Flag_of_Bahrain.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: http://www.moci.gov.bh/en/KingdomofBahrain/BahrainFlag/ Original artist: Source: Drawn by User:SKopp, rewritten by
User:Zscout370
File:Flag_of_Egypt.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Flag_of_Egypt.svg License: CC0 Contributors:
From the Open Clip Art website. Original artist: Open Clip Art
File:Flag_of_Iran.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Flag_of_Iran.svg License: Public domain Contributors: URL http://www.isiri.org/portal/files/std/1.htm and an English translation / interpretation at URL http://flagspot.net/flags/ir'.html
Original artist: Various
File:Flag_of_Jordan.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Flag_of_Jordan.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Flag_of_Kuwait.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Flag_of_Kuwait.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: Own work Original artist: SKopp
File:Flag_of_Morocco.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Flag_of_Morocco.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: adala.justice.gov.ma (Ar) Original artist: Denelson83, Zscout370
File:Flag_of_Pakistan.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Flag_of_Pakistan.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: The drawing and the colors were based from agspot.net. Original artist: User:Zscout370
File:Flag_of_Qatar.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Flag_of_Qatar.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Drawn by User:SKopp Original artist: (of code) cs:User:-xfi File:Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg License:
CC0 Contributors: the actual ag Original artist: Unknown
File:Flag_of_Sudan.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Flag_of_Sudan.svg License: Public domain Contributors: www.vexilla-mundi.com Original artist: Vzb83
File:Flag_of_Turkey.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Flag_of_Turkey.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: Turkish Flag Law (Trk Bayra Kanunu), Law nr. 2893 of 22 September 1983. Text (in Turkish) at the website of the
Turkish Historical Society (Trk Tarih Kurumu) Original artist: David Benbennick (original author)
File:Flag_of_Yemen.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Flag_of_Yemen.svg License: CC0 Contributors:
Open Clip Art website Original artist: ?
File:Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Flag_of_the_United_
Arab_Emirates.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Flag_of_the_United_States.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg License:
PD Contributors: ? Original artist: ?

9.3

Content license

15

File:Houthi_Declaration_6-2-2015.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dc/Houthi_Declaration_6-2-2015.png License: Fair use Contributors:

YouTube clip of France 24 rebroadcast of al-Maseera TV (Yemen)
Original artist: ?
File:Houthis_Logo.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Houthis_Logo.png License: Public domain Contributors: Own work Original artist: Takahara Osaka
File:InfoboxHez.PNG Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/InfoboxHez.PNG License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Khaerr
File:Logo_of_the_Yemeni_Congregation_for_Reform_(al-Islah).svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/
b1/Logo_of_the_Yemeni_Congregation_for_Reform_%28al-Islah%29.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Own work Original
artist: MrPenguin20
File:MiddleEast_blacky.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/MiddleEast_blacky.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Own work Original artist: Madhero88
File:Saudi_Army_There_are_Reday_War.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Saudi_Army_There_
are_Reday_War.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Saudis Army in Jizan Whos Reday War Original artist:

File:Yemen_war_detailed_map.png Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Yemen_war_detailed_map.png License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Own work using: Yemen location map.svg by NordNordWest Original artist: 0ali1
File:Yemeni_Armed_Forces_Emblem.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Yemeni_Armed_Forces_
Emblem.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: MrPenguin20
File:Yemeni_Republican_Guard_Flag.svg Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Yemeni_Republican_
Guard_Flag.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: MrPenguin20

9.3

Content license

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