Understanding the Yemen Crisis: Houthi Rebels, Historical Roots, and Global Implication

For more than two and a half years, the United States has supported Saudi Arabia in its war against the Houthi Rebel movement in Yemen. This Yemen Crisis has led to the creation of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, posing a looming threat of a catastrophic famine in decades.

Surprisingly, very few Americans are familiar with who the Houthis are, why they stand firm, and why they are perceived as adversaries. Without launching a comprehensive campaign to inform the public about the reasons behind the Houthi conflict, two administrations have supported the war, leaving Americans uncertain about why they should see the Houthis as real enemies.

Yemeni politics are inherently complex and volatile. Instead of getting embroiled in the quagmire against an adversary they may hardly know, the United States and its allies should be seriously considering political solutions. It is crucial for Americans to understand the depth of the Yemen crisis and the need for a diplomatic approach.

The ongoing war has not only resulted in immense suffering for the Yemeni people but has also strained relationships and fueled tensions in the region. It is time for the United States to reassess its involvement and actively seek diplomatic resolutions rather than perpetuating a conflict that poses a severe threat to human life and global stability.

In conclusion, the Yemen conflict demands a nuanced understanding. Instead of blindly supporting military interventions, Americans need to be informed about the intricacies of the situation and the potential for political solutions. It is high time for the United States to shift its approach towards Yemen and work towards a peaceful resolution that prioritizes the well-being of the Yemeni people and fosters stability in the region

Who are these houthis Rebels ?

The Zaidi Shia, also known as Zaydiyah, are a minority community within the broader Shiite Muslim population. While Shia Muslims constitute a minority in the Islamic world, Zaidi Shia are a distinct group with unique beliefs and practices that differ from the more predominant Shia communities found in Iran, Iraq, and other regions, often referred to as Twelvers due to their belief in the twelve Imams.

Zaidiyyah derive their name from Zaid, the grandson of Ali, who was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Zaid took a stand against the Umayyad Caliphate in 740, marking the first uprising against the Islamic world’s initial dynastic rule centered in Damascus. Zaid led the rebellion and was martyred, with his head allegedly buried in a temple in Kerak, Jordan. Zaidis regard him as an ideal caliph who should have assumed leadership instead of the Umayyads, believing in the principles he represented during his rebellion.

In summary, the Zaidi Shia community holds a distinctive place in Islamic history, marked by their reverence for Zaid bin Ali and their unique perspectives on leadership within the Islamic state. While a minority, their beliefs and historical contributions add depth and diversity to the rich tapestry of Islamic traditions.

The Houthi movement has made combating corruption a central focus of their political agenda, even if only on a small scale.

A notable aspect of Zaid’s remembered life is his fight against corrupt governance. Both Sunni and Shia agree that he was a devout individual. Zaidi Shia hold him in high esteem as a symbol of resistance against corruption. The Houthis have made the fight against corruption a cornerstone of their political program, at least to some extent. Unlike Twelver Shia, who often place trust in Ayatollahs, prevalent in Iran and most of the Shia world, Zaidis do not follow such leadership. They also do not practice Taqiyyah, a principle allowing deception to protect one’s faith – a form of self-defense.

In essence, they are a distinct sect within Shia Islam, contrasting with the Iranian version of Shiism that Americans became familiar with after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Zaidi followers established themselves in the rugged mountains of Northern Yemen in the 9th century. For centuries, Zaidis struggled successfully at various levels to assert control over Yemen. Zaidi Imams ruled over the community and held sway in the mountainous regions of Northern Yemen, where a majority of the Zaidi population resided. They fought against the Ottomans and the Wahhabis in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1918, Zaidi rulers took charge in Northern Yemen, forming what came to be known as the Mutawakkilite Kingdom. The ruler, or Imam, served as both a secular leader and a spiritual guide. Their kingdom engaged in a border war with Saudi Arabia in the 1930s, resulting in defeat and loss of territory to the Saudi state. Despite this setback, they were internationally recognized as the legitimate government of Northern Yemen, with their capital in Taiz

In 1962, a revolutionary military group, backed by Egypt, overthrew the Mutawakkilite monarchy in Yemen, establishing an Arab nationalist government with its capital in Sanaa. With Soviet assistance, Egypt sent thousands of soldiers to support the Republican takeover. Zaidi Royalists, in opposition, took to the mountains along the Saudi border to engage in guerrilla warfare. Saudi Arabia supported the Royalists, and Israel also covertly aided them. After the war with Israel in 1967 and regional tensions between Saudi and Egyptian forces eased, the Yemeni civil war concluded with a Republican victory.

In 1978, after consecutive coups, Ali Abdullah Saleh, a Zaidi Republican general, came to power. Saleh ruled Yemen for the next 33 years, unifying North and South Yemen in 1990, aligning with Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War, and surviving a Saudi-backed southern insurgency in 1994. Despite complex relations with Riyadh and Washington, by the late 1990s, Saleh had formed alliances with both against al-Qaeda.

In the 1990s, the Houthis emerged as a Zaidi resistance against Saleh and his alleged corruption. Led by charismatic leader Hussein al-Houthi, they accused Saleh of embezzling the Arab world’s poorest country’s wealth for his family. Like other Arab autocrats in Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria, they criticized the dictator while facing allegations of receiving Saudi and American support.

The Houthi movement gained prominence in the 1990s as a Zaidi resistance against Saleh’s alleged corruption. Led by the charismatic leader Hussein al-Houthi, they accused Saleh of embezzling the country’s wealth for his family, paralleling the criticisms faced by other autocrats in the Arab world. They also criticized the dictator while facing allegations of receiving Saudi and American support.

Why are they creating so much panic on the red Sea?

Since mid-November 2023, the turbulent waters of the Red Sea have become a battleground, courtesy of the Yemen-based Houthi rebel group, backed by Iran. This insurgent faction, known for its guerilla tactics, has relentlessly targeted dozens of commercial ships, sending shockwaves through global trade and prompting an exodus of shipping companies from the region. The consequences are dire, posing a significant threat to supply chains and adding pressure on consumer prices at a time when the world is just beginning to recover from the clutches of soaring inflation.

The Houthi rebels’ aggression in the Red Sea has unveiled a new chapter in the ongoing Yemen conflict, with far-reaching implications for the international community. Their audacious attacks on commercial vessels have not only disrupted maritime trade but have also instilled fear and uncertainty among shipping companies operating in this crucial waterway.

As the exodus of shipping companies intensifies, the looming threat to global supply chains becomes increasingly apparent. The intricate web of international trade, already strained by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, faces yet another formidable challenge. Shipping routes vital for the transportation of goods are being rerouted or altogether avoided, leading to delays, increased transportation costs, and potential shortages in various markets.

Consumer prices, a barometer of economic stability, are now caught in the crossfire. The disruption in the Red Sea could not have come at a worse time, as economies worldwide grapple with the aftermath of pandemic-induced disruptions. The delicate balance achieved in managing inflation

Moller-Maersk, have announced plans to avoid the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, outlining a strategy to protect vessels and cargoes valued at approximately $200 billion.

The Houthi Rationale:

The Houthis assert that their strikes are a direct response to Israeli actions and will persist until Israel concludes its military operations in Gaza. This ideological stance, however, has been met with skepticism, as the attacks seem to extend beyond a targeted approach and have impacted a broad range of vessels navigating the Red Sea.

Shipping’s Opacity and Global Ramifications:

The shipping industry, known for its lack of transparency, poses challenges in identifying vessel ownership, operation details, crew nationality, and flag registry. This opacity has created a situation where major shipping companies, including the globally influential A.P. Møller-Mærsk, are taking evasive measures to protect their assets.

The Exodus from Red Sea and Suez Canal:

In response to the perceived threat of Houthi attacks, prominent shipping companies have unveiled plans to circumvent the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. A.P. Møller-Mærsk, a key player in the industry, is among those diverting routes to ensure the safety of vessels and cargoes, amounting to an estimated $200 billion in trade being redirected.

Global Trade Impact:

The decision by major shippers to avoid crucial maritime routes has sent shockwaves through the global trade landscape. The complexity of shipping operations, combined with geopolitical tensions and the potential escalation of conflicts, raises concerns about the broader economic implications on trade, prices, and international relations.

International Response and Diplomatic Efforts:

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate tensions and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in the region. The need for coordinated international action is emphasized to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure the safety of vital shipping lanes.

Conclusion for Yemen Crisis:

As the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea create ripples in global trade, the situation underscores the intricate relationship between conflicts, maritime security, and economic stability. The shift in shipping routes by major companies reflects the urgency to navigate this complex web of challenges and highlights the necessity for concerted efforts to restore stability in the region.

For more information on Yemen crisis please visit https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/yemen-crisis