Ash-Shabab al-Muminin (الشباب المؤمن‎,) Believing Youth (BY)
Participant in Sa'dah War, 2011 Yemeni uprising
The Zulfiqar, sword of Shia leader Ali
Active	1994-Present (armed since 2004)
Ideology	Zaydi Shi'a Islam
Groups	Houthi tribe, other Shi'a tribes in Sa'dah
Leaders	Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi  † Abdul-Malik al-Houthi
Headquarters	Sa'dah, Yemen
Area of operations	North Yemen and South-Western Saudi Arabia
Strength	100,000[1]
Allies	22x20px Hezbollah (alleged)
Opponents	Yemeni Government, Hashid, Islah  Saudi Arabia (2009-2010) al-Qaeda[2]
Battles/wars	Battle of Sa'dah

The Houthis (Arabic: الحوثيون‎ = al-Ḥūthiyūn; alternately: (al-)Houthis) are a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as a "powerful clan,"^[3] and by the title Ash-Shabab al-Mu'min (Arabic: الشباب المؤمن‎, translated as Believing Youth (BY)^[4] or Youthful Believers).^[5] The group takes its name from Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, their former commander, who was reportedly killed by Yemeni army forces in September 2004.^[6] Several other commanders, including, Ali al-Qatwani, Abu Haider, Abbas Aidah and Yousuf al-Madani (a son-inlaw of Hussein al-Houthi) have also been killed by Yemeni forces.^[7] The Houthi brothers' father Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group.^[8]

Membership of the group had between 1,000 and 3,000 fighters as of 2005^[9] and between 2,000 and 10,000 fighters as of 2009.^[10] In the Yemen Post it has been claimed, however, that they had over 100,000 fighters.^[11] According to Houthi Expert Ahmed Al-Bahri the Houthis had a total of 100,000-120,000 followers, including both armed fighters and unarmed loyalists.^[12]

The Houthis have asserted that their actions are for the defense of their community from the government and discrimination, though the Yemeni government has in turn accused them of wishing to bring it down and institute Shia religious law^[13] (Houthis have told people they are “praying in the wrong way” by raising their arms, as is the custom among Sunnis in Yemen),^[14] destabilise the government and "stirring anti-American sentiment".^[15]

The Yemeni government has also accused the Houthis of having ties to external backers, especially the Iranian government (as Iran is a Shia-majority country).^[16] In turn, the Houthis have countered with allegations that the Yemeni government is being backed by virulently anti-Shia external backers including al-Qaeda and the government of Saudi Arabia^[17][18][19] (despite the fact that President Ali Abdullah Saleh is also Zaidi^[20]).

Through their armed uprisings, the Houthis have managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of 'Amran Governorate, Al Jawf Governorate and Hajjah Governorate.^[21]

By November 9, 2011, Houthis were said to be in control of two Yemeni governorates (Sa'dah and al-Jawf) and close to taking over their third governorate (Hajjah),^[22] which would enable them to launch a direct assault on Yemeni capital Sana'a.^[23] By May, 2012 it was reported that Houthis controlled a majority of Sa'dah, al-Jawf and Hajjah governorates, had gained access to the Red Sea and had started erecting barricades North of the capital Sana'a in preparation for new conflict.^[24]

Leaders[link]

• Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi - Ex-leader (killed in 2004)
• Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi - Leader
• Yahia Badreddin al Houthi - Serior Leader
• Abdul-Karim Badreddin al-Houthi - High ranking commander
• Badr Eddin al-Houti - Spiritual Leader (died in 2010)
• Abdullah al-Ruzami - Ex-military commander
• Abu Ali Abdullah al-Hakem al-Houthi - Military commander
• Mohammed Abdulsalam
• Saleh Habra - Political leader^[25]
• Faris Manna - Houthi appointed governor of Sa'adah^[26] and former head of Saleh's Presidential committee^[27]

Administration[link]

Dark red=full control, Red=partial control, light red=active

The Houthis' independent administration includes the following territories:

• All of Sa'adah Governorate^[28]
• Parts of 'Amran Governorate including:
  • Harf Sufyan District^[29]
  • Huth District^[30]
  • Shaharah District^[31]
• Majority of Al Jawf Governorate,^[32] including:
  • Al Maton District^[33][34]
  • Az Zahir District^[33][35]
  • Al Matammah District^[33]
• 40% of Hajjah Governorate,^[36] including:
  • Kuhlan Ash Sharaf District^[37]
  • Kushar District (partially controlled by local tribesmen)^[38]

References[link]

• Interview with exiled Houthi leader in German Middle East magazine zenith