Explainer: Who are the Houthis?

The Houthis began in the 1990’s as a moderate theological movement of the Zaydis, a Shia minority group.
Fighting corruption was one of their main aims.

The 2003 US invasion of Iraq was a turning point.
Analysts believe the war transformed the Houthis into a resistance group with deep anti-American sentiments.

In 2015, Houthi fighters seized Yemen's capital Sanaa.
It triggered more than nine years of war between the Saudi-led coalition, which backs the internationally recognised government, and the Houthis, supported by Iran.

On October the 31st, the Houthis entered the war in Gaza, firing drones and missiles at Israel.
And earlier this month, the Houthis said they would target all ships heading towards Israel.

Hussain Al Bukhaiti is a political analyst aligned with the Houthi movement. He says the group will continue targeting vessels in the Red Sea that have links with Israel.