Key events, in order
Filter by party. Each event links to its sources and, where written, to its chapter.
1992
Believing Youth founded
Zaydi scholar Mohammed Azzan founds Believing Youth in Saada to revive Zaydi identity through summer camps and study circles. The Houthi movement grows out of it.
2004
First Saada war
The government arrests hundreds of Houthi supporters and offers a reward for Hussein al-Houthi. Fighting begins in Saada.
Hussein al-Houthi killed
The movement's founder is killed by government forces. Leadership passes to his younger brother Abdulmalik.
2009
Operation Scorched Earth
The army launches its largest offensive in Saada, the sixth round of the war.
Saudi Arabia enters the fighting
Fighting spreads across the border for the first time. Saudi forces fight the Houthis and retake border areas the Houthis had seized.
2010
Ceasefire ends sixth war
Six rounds of war since 2004 end in a ceasefire, without a settlement. More than 250,000 people have been displaced.
2011
Houthis take control of Saada
While protests spread across Yemen, the Houthis take over Saada governorate and set up their own administration.
Saleh signs GCC initiative
In Riyadh, Saleh agrees to hand power to his deputy, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, in return for immunity. The Houthis reject the deal.
2014
Dammaj evacuated
After a Houthi siege of the Salafi school of Dar al-Hadith, a government-brokered ceasefire ends with its leader and foreign students flown out.
Houthi delegate killed
Ahmad Sharafeddin, a Houthi delegate to the National Dialogue, is shot dead in Sanaa, the second Houthi delegate killed in two months.
Amran falls
The 310th Armoured Brigade is overrun. Its commander is killed.
Security forces fire on protesters
Human Rights Watch counts nine dead over 7 and 9 September and finds no evidence the Houthi protesters were armed.
Houthis take Sanaa
The Peace and National Partnership Agreement is signed the same night. The Houthis refuse its security annex.
UN sanctions Saleh and two Houthi commanders
Designations under Security Council resolution 2140.
2015
Hadi resigns
Follows the Houthi seizure of the presidential palace. He later withdraws the resignation from Aden.
Coalition intervention begins
A Saudi-led coalition launches airstrikes in support of Hadi's government.
Resolution 2216
The Security Council demands Houthi withdrawal from seized areas and imposes an arms embargo on the movement's leaders.
Wedding strike near Mokha
Airstrikes hit a wedding gathering. 131 people are reported killed. The UN Secretary-General condemns the attack. The coalition denies involvement.
2016
Funeral hall strike, Sanaa
Strikes on a crowded funeral hall kill more than 140 people, according to UN-cited health officials.
2017
Saleh killed
The Houthis kill their former ally days after he breaks with them.
2018
School bus strike, Dahyan
An airstrike on a bus in Saada governorate kills dozens of people. Officials say 40 of the dead are children.
Stockholm Agreement
UN-brokered deal on Hodeidah, a prisoner exchange and Taiz.
2019
Abqaiq and Khurais attack
The Houthis claim strikes on Saudi oil facilities. The US blames Iran. In January 2020, UN monitors report that the Houthis did not carry out the attack.
2022
Attack on Abu Dhabi
A drone attack claimed by the Houthis hits the UAE capital. Three people are killed.
Nationwide truce
A UN-brokered two-month truce begins. It is extended twice and expires in October, but large-scale fighting does not resume.
2023
Galaxy Leader seized
The Houthis hijack an Israeli-linked ship in the Red Sea and take its 25 crew hostage. It is the start of a campaign against commercial shipping.
2024
US and UK strikes begin
Strikes hit more than 60 Houthi targets in response to the shipping attacks.
UN and NGO staff detained
The Houthis detain staff of UN agencies and aid groups. The UN calls for their release. Further detentions follow.
2025
US–Houthi ceasefire
An Oman-brokered understanding halts US strikes and Houthi attacks on US ships.
Houthi prime minister killed
An Israeli strike in Sanaa kills Ahmed al-Rahawi, prime minister of the Houthi government, and several ministers.