Is Houthi a tribe? What do the Houthis stand for?

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah (which translates to “supporters of Allah” in Arabic), are a fundamentalist militant group that originated among Yemen’s Houthi tribe. Here are some key points about them:

1. Zaydi Shiites: First and foremost, the Houthis are Zaydi Shiites, also known as Zaydiyyah. Shiites are a minority community in the Islamic world, and Zaydis constitute a minority within the Shiite branch. Their beliefs and doctrines significantly differ from those of the Shiites dominant in Iran, Iraq, and elsewhere (often referred to as Twelvers due to their belief in twelve Imams).

The Zaydi sect takes its name from Zayd bin Ali, the great-grandson of Ali (Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law), whom all Shiites revere. Zayd bin Ali led an uprising against the Umayyad Empire in 740 CE, which ruled from Damascus. His martyrdom is commemorated, and his head is believed to be buried in a shrine in Kerak, Jordan. Zaydis view him as a model of a pure caliph who should have ruled instead of the Umayyads.

2. Fighting Corruption: The distinguishing feature of Zayd’s biography is that he fought against a corrupt regime. The Houthis have made fighting corruption the centerpiece of their political program, at least nominally. They elevate Zayd bin Ali as a symbol of fighting corruption.

3. Distinct from Iranian Shiism: Unlike Twelver Shiites (the dominant Shiite sect in Iran and much of the Muslim world), Zaydis do not believe in ayatollahs or practice taqqiyah (dissimulation). Taqqiyah allows one to disguise their faith for self-protection. In short, Zaydis follow a very different interpretation of Shiism compared to the Iranian version that gained prominence after the 1979 Iranian revolution.

4. Historical Context: Followers of Zayd established themselves in northern Yemen’s rugged mountains during the ninth century. Over the next thousand years, Zaydis fought for control of Yemen with varying degrees of success. A succession of Zaydi Imams ruled the community, and Zaydis constituted the majority population in the mountainous regions of northern Yemen. They resisted both Ottoman and Wahhabi forces during the 18th and 19th centuries.

5. Houthi Tribe: The Houthi movement is named after the tribe itself. The Houthi tribe (Arabic: قبيلة الحوثي) is a Hamdanid Arab tribe residing in northern Yemen, primarily located in ‘Amran and Saada.

In summary, understanding the historical context, religious beliefs, and political motivations behind the Houthis is crucial for comprehending their actions and role in Yemeni politics.