The Houthis, officially known as **Ansar Allah**, are a Zaydi revivalist and Islamist political-military organization that emerged in Yemen in the 1990s, drawing leadership primarily from the al-Houthi family[1]. Initially a small, localized movement opposing perceived government corruption and foreign influence, the group has transformed into a major regional actor with significant influence over Yemen’s political and military landscape[5]. The Houthis are predominantly Zaydi Shia Muslims, a minority in Yemen, and are widely seen as part of the Iranian-led “Axis of Resistance,” receiving substantial support from Tehran[1][3]. ## History and Evolution The Houthi movement began as the “Believing Youth,” a religious revivalist group, but gained prominence in 2004 when its founder, Hussein al-Houthi, was killed by Yemeni forces, sparking a series of uprisings known as the Houthi Wars[1][6]. Over the next decade, the group capitalized on Yemen’s political instability, notably during the Arab Spring, to expand its territorial control[6]. In 2014, the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and by early 2015, they had dissolved the government, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention that escalated into a full-blown civil war[6][7]. Despite initial setbacks from coalition airstrikes, the Houthis not only survived but grew stronger, adapting their organizational structure and military tactics[5]. ## Key Achievements and Current Status The Houthis’ most notable achievement is their consolidation of power over much of northern Yemen, including the capital, despite international isolation and military opposition[5][6]. They have demonstrated resilience against one of the region’s most powerful militaries (Saudi Arabia) and have developed sophisticated missile and drone capabilities, reportedly with Iranian assistance[1][3]. Their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea have