Overview:
Houthi Rebels have continued their trend of invading United Nations (UN) facilities in Yemen, with 20 UN employees being detained and various equipment being confiscated. Who are the Houthi Rebels? What are they hoping to accomplish? Why are they targeting the United Nations?
The Origin of the Houthi Rebels
The Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah (meaning “Helpers of God” in Arabic), took on their name in 2011 during the Arab Spring protests. The movement itself, however, began in northern Yemen during the 1990s as a Zaydi religious revivalist group. It was founded by Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi, whose family’s legacy continues in the movement’s name.
Zaydism, a branch of Shi’a Islam, holds distinct theological and political differences from Sunni Islam. This is particularly true for the Salafi branch. Tensions between the Yemeni government and the Houthi movement escalated after the latter’s criticisms of state corruption and foreign interference. This culminated in a 2004 insurgency following an attempt to arrest Hussein al-Houthi. He was killed that same year during a military crackdown.
Political instability, regional shifts, and backing from Iran have since fueled the Houthis’ sustained insurgency and gradual consolidation of power.
Houthi Goals and Influence
While the Houthis’ short-term objectives center on consolidating power within Yemen, their long-term ambitions are more ideological. Their primary goal is to establish a Zaydi theocracy in Yemen. This theocracy would reject foreign influence and position itself as a bulwark against Western and regional intervention.
Israel
The movement is also built on anti-American and antisemitic sentiments. They aim to expel the United States from the Middle East and eliminate Israel as a state.
By maintaining control over the northwestern region of Yemen, the Houthis have disrupted international trade routes in the Red Sea. They have also launched cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, they have claimed responsibility for drone and missile strikes on Israel, particularly following Israel’s declaration of war on Palestine.
These actions serve multiple purposes: demonstrating regional power, drawing allies to their cause, and bolstering their legitimacy among other non-state actors. These actors include Al-Shabaab and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI).
Why Houthi Rebels Might Target the United Nations
Despite the diplomatic immunity granted to UN facilities, that protection relies on recognition from legitimate state actors. However, the Houthis do not hold this status. As a non-state entity asserting de facto control over territory, they view the United Nations as an active participant in regional politics rather than a neutral mediator.
Houthi officials have accused the UN of espionage, claiming that its involvement in Yemen extends beyond humanitarian aid. The group also considers the UN complicit in enabling Israel’s continued existence. This is particularly after the Israeli airstrike that killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of Houthi-controlled Yemen. This event has fueled a revenge-driven motive behind their latest raid on the UN office in Sana’a.
Threats
Additionally, the Houthis perceive UN and NGO aid operations as threats to their authority. Allowing international organizations to deliver assistance within their territory could undermine the group’s perceived control and legitimacy. By disrupting aid channels, the Houthis assert dominance while projecting resistance against foreign influence.
The United Nations’ recognition of the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG)—based in Aden—further fuels tensions. Following the recent attacks, the UN has announced plans to relocate its operations to Aden. The Houthis view this as both a symbolic victory and an opportunity to seize assets such as communications equipment, documentation, and vehicles from the vacated offices.
For the Houthis, this campaign serves multiple purposes. It involves consolidating power, gaining leverage, reclaiming perceived dignity, and retaliating against an institution they accuse of global bias.
Sources
- UN condemns Houthi seizure of office in Yemen’s Sana’a
- Atlantic Council | After the Gaza cease-fire, what’s next for the Houthis?
- CSUSB | Yemen and the Houthi Rebellion in the Context of the Global War on Terror
- Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies | Two Decades of Transformation: The Houthis’ Emergence
- Wilson Center | Who Are Yemen’s Houthis?
Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by William Campbell for Presence News. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team.
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