Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Yemen’s Houthi Conflict Reflects Deep Sectarian, Tribal Rivalries
Yemen has several religious, tribal and political groups that have competed for power for a long time.
Most Yemenis are Sunni Muslims, while many people in the northern highlands are Zaydi Shia Muslims.
The Houthi movement began as an effort to protect and revive Zaydi traditions.
Its supporters opposed corruption, economic neglect and what they saw as Saudi influence.
The movement became an armed group after its leader Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi was killed in 2004.
Political instability after 2011 helped the Houthis gain more territory.
They captured Sana’a in 2014 after making a temporary alliance with former President Saleh.
The Houthis now control important areas near the Red Sea.
This gives them the ability to threaten ships and energy supplies in a major maritime route.
The Houthi conflict is rooted in Yemen’s sectarian, tribal, political and regional divisions, not religion alone.
Zaydi Shia communities are concentrated in northern Yemen, while most Sunnis follow the Shafi’i school and live mainly in southern, coastal and eastern areas.
The Houthi movement grew from a Zaydi revivalist campaign launched in response to perceived Saudi-backed Salafi influence and northern marginalization.
The Houthis expanded after Yemen’s 2011 political upheaval, seized Sana’a in September 2014 and formed tactical alliances with former President Saleh.
Their control of parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and reported Iranian military support give them the ability to threaten shipping and regional energy infrastructure.
- Who
- The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, and its regional and domestic opponents, including Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s central government.
- What
- A complex conflict involving sectarian identity, tribal rivalries, political competition, territorial expansion and regional intervention.
- When
- The Zaydi revivalist campaign emerged in the early 1990s or late 1990s, while the armed Houthi movement developed after 2004 and seized Sana’a in September 2014.
- Where
- Yemen, especially the northern highlands, Sana’a, Saada and areas along the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
- Why
- The movement grew from Zaydi concerns about Saudi-backed Salafism, political marginalization, corruption, economic neglect and foreign influence.
- Main movement
- The Houthis, also called Ansar Allah or “Supporters of God”.
- Religious geography
- About 65 percent of Yemen’s population is Sunni and about 35 percent is Shia, according to the article.
- Zaydi heartland
- Zaydi communities are concentrated mainly in Saada, Amran and Sana’a in northern Yemen.
- Tribal support
- The Houthis draw significant tribal support from territory associated with the Bakil confederation.
- Political turning point
- The Houthis seized Sana’a in September 2014 after expanding during the post-2011 political transition.
- Maritime significance
- The Bab el-Mandeb is described as a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the conflict to global shipping and energy supplies.
- Leadership history
- Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi led the early rebel movement and was killed in a military clash in 2004.