The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Shiite rebel group based in Yemen. The conflict involving the Houthis can be traced back to Yemen’s complex political landscape, sectarian tensions, and regional power struggles.
The Houthi movement emerged in the 1990s as a response to perceived marginalization of the Zaidi Shiite community, to which the Houthis belong. Their discontent intensified with the political and economic challenges faced by Yemen. The group gained prominence in the early 2000s, leading to armed clashes with the Yemeni government.
The ongoing conflict escalated significantly in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and other key regions, forcing the government into exile. This power shift drew regional powers into the fray, with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states supporting the Yemeni government, viewing the Houthis as an Iranian proxy. Iran, while sympathetic to the Houthi cause, denies direct military involvement.
Source :- India Today
The Red Sea has become a focal point in the conflict due to its strategic importance for international trade. The Houthis have targeted Red Sea ships, employing tactics such as naval mines and missile attacks. Their actions disrupt maritime navigation, impacting global shipping lanes and raising concerns about the safety of vessels transiting the area.
The motives behind Houthi attacks on Red Sea ships are multifaceted. Firstly, it serves as a strategic response to the Saudi-led coalition’s blockade of Yemen, aiming to exert pressure on the coalition and garner international attention. Secondly, targeting commercial shipping allows the Houthis to assert control over key waterways, potentially influencing negotiations and leveraging their position in peace talks.
The situation remains highly volatile, with humanitarian consequences exacerbated by the naval blockade and the broader conflict’s toll on Yemen’s population. International efforts, diplomatic initiatives, and negotiations are ongoing to find a resolution to the Yemeni crisis, but the complex web of interests and regional dynamics continues to complicate the path to peace.
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