The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah, is a political and paramilitary organization that emerged in Yemen in the 1990s. It is predominantly made up of Zaydis, a branch of Shia Islam, and is associated with the al-Houthi family.

The movement was founded by religious and political leader Hussein al-Houthi. After his death at the hands of Yemeni government forces in 2004, the group launched an insurgency against the government. In 2014, it took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, helping bring about the current civil war.

The Houthis are backed by Iran, though the scale of Iranian assistance has been disputed. The movement has fought Saudi-backed forces and has used missiles and drones in attacks, including against Saudi targets, according to the supplied news account.