How a movement from Saada took a state, and what it has done with it.
The story of Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, told in order and in full: its origins, its wars, its beliefs and its rule. It also records the conduct of the Saudi-led coalition and every other party to the war. Each claim is linked to its source.
Documented
Established by published evidence: UN reports, court records, official statements, and verified reporting. Every documented claim carries a numbered source.
Testimony
An eyewitness account, given as testimony and labelled as such. Where other sources corroborate it, they are cited alongside.
Allegation
A claim that is serious but not yet proven. Published only with supporting evidence, and with the response of the accused party where one exists.
- 01RootsZaydi revival, the Believing Youth, Hussein al-Houthi1962–2004Draft
- 02The Saada warsSix rounds of war with the Saleh government2004–2010Draft
- 03Uprising and dialogue2011, the GCC deal, the National Dialogue2011–2014Draft
- 04The fall of SanaaFrom Dammaj to the capital in nine months2014Draft
- 05The war beginsThe palace, Aden, and the coalition intervention2015In preparation
- 06Allies and enemiesSaleh's killing, Hodeidah, the Stockholm Agreement2016–2018In preparation
- 07How they governSupervisors, economy, schools, detention2014–In preparation
- 08Beyond YemenThe Red Sea, Israel, and regional reach2019–In preparation
- 09Beliefs and aimsThe slogan, the lectures, the stated goals—In preparation
This record covers all parties to the war. Coalition airstrikes on homes, markets, hospitals and funerals are documented here with the same standard as Houthi abuses.
Names matter in this conflict, so both are given. The movement calls 21 September 2014 a revolution. Its opponents, and the internationally recognised government, call it a coup.
Corrections are logged publicly with the date and the change made.