Who are Yemen’s Houthis and why did they attack Israel?

Here is a brief overview of the group.

Who are the Houthis?

In the late 1990s, the Houthi family in far north Yemen set up a religious revival movement for the Zaydi sect of Shi’ite Islam, which had once ruled Yemen but whose northern heartland had become impoverished and marginalised.

The Houthis announced on 31 October 2023 that they had launched ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel in support of the Palestinian people, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Source: AAP / EPA

As friction with the government grew, they fought a series of guerrilla wars with the national army and a brief border conflict with Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia.

When did the war in Yemen start?

The Houthis established control over much of the north and other big population centres, while the internationally recognised government based itself in Aden.

But the Houthi attacks on Israel have increased the risks of conflict for Saudi Arabia.

When and why did the Houthis attack Israel?

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement the group had launched a “large number” of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel on 31 October, and there would be more such attacks to come “to help the Palestinians to victory”.

The Houthis media centre supplied photos of their manoeuver on Israel. Source: AAP / EPA

Saree said there had been three Houthi attacks on Israel since the start of the conflict, appearing to confirm they were behind a drone attack on 28 October that resulted in blasts in Egypt and was blamed by Israel on the Houthis, and a 19 October incident in which the US navy intercepted three cruise missiles.

Saree blamed Israel for instability in the Middle East, saying the “circle of conflict” in the region was being expanded by its “continued crimes”. The Houthis would continue to mount attacks “until the Israeli aggression stops”.

The Houthis’ slogan is “Death to America, Death to Israel, curse on the Jews and victory to Islam”.

Are the Houthis linked to Iran?

The Houthis have demonstrated their missile and drone capabilities during the Yemen war in attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, targeting oil installations and vital infrastructure.

The Saudi-led coalition accuses Iran of arming, training and funding the Houthis. The group denies being an Iranian proxy and says it develops its own weapons.