Archive · 16 Sep 2026
How Yemen’s Houthis Became a Threat to Saudi Arabia
The Houthis are an armed group from northern Yemen.
They first fought Yemen’s government in the 1990s.
Their leader, Hussein al-Houthi, was killed in 2004, but the group became stronger afterward.
The Houthis fought the Yemeni government in six wars before taking control of Sanaa in 2014.
Saudi Arabia became involved after Houthi fighters crossed into Saudi territory in 2009.
Saudi Arabia later led a coalition to restore Yemen’s government.
The Houthis now use missiles and drones, and the article says Iran has supported them, although Iran denies supplying weapons.
Saudi Arabia appears worried about attacks but hesitant to begin another costly ground war.
Saudi air defences shot down a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the city’s airspace.
The Houthi insurgency began in northern Yemen during the 1990s, initially targeting Yemen’s government.
After six Saada Wars, the Houthis captured Sanaa in 2014 and became the de facto rulers of northern Yemen.
Saudi Arabia entered the conflict after Houthi fighters crossed its border and attacked installations in 2009.
Iranian support, missiles and drones have expanded the Houthis’ capabilities as Saudi Arabia appears reluctant to launch another ground war.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen are the main parties described.
- What
- Saudi air defences shot down a Houthi drone south of Mecca, highlighting the group’s expanding ability to threaten Saudi territory.
- When
- The drone incident occurred the previous night; the broader conflict developed from the 1990s, with Saudi-Houthi fighting beginning around 2009.
- Where
- The incident occurred south of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, while the wider conflict is centered in Yemen and along the Saudi-Yemeni border.
- Why
- The Houthis initially opposed Yemen’s government, while Saudi Arabia later intervened because of cross-border attacks and concerns about Iranian influence.
Saudi and Other Reports
Iran’s Position
Iranian weapons support
Saudi and Other Reports
The article says Iranian weapons and parts have been seized in shipments bound for Yemen and that Iranian hardware has strengthened the Houthis.
Iran’s Position
Iran denies arming the Houthis.
- Initial insurgency
- The Houthi insurgency began in northern Yemen during the 1990s.
- Hussein al-Houthi
- Yemeni government forces killed the Houthi founder in 2004.
- Saada Wars
- The Houthis fought Yemen’s government in six wars between 2004 and 2010.
- Capture of Sanaa
- Houthi fighters captured Yemen’s capital in September 2014.
- Saudi intervention
- Saudi Arabia began a large-scale coalition offensive in March 2015.
- Weapons
- The Houthis use ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, including systems described as resembling Iranian models.
- Current concern
- The article says Houthi forces have advanced toward the Bab el-Mandeb and have struck Saudi oil facilities.