Iran-Backed Rebels Just Sacked Yemen's Presidential Palace

[al-Hasani]

Anyway got time for a quick reply.

@Serpentine

A small correction. The Houthis are a new movement. Founded in 1994 by Hussein al-Houthi (hence the name of the group). They are Zaydis though and Zaydis are the oldest branch in Shia Islam and were until the Safavids the biggest Shia branch in the world. Their history in Yemen is very long. They are also present in Southwestern regions of KSA alongside Ismaili Shias.

The Zaydis are mostly found in the Northern muhafazat with their traditional and current stronghold being Sa'ada.

Also the Zaydiyyah Imams of Yemen "only" ruled Northern Yemen. Many times only de facto (by name). It's really complex but Yemen was rarely ruled by a central ruler/authority.

Even in BC years the various ancient Yemeni kingdoms (Kingdom of Himyar, Kingdom of Qataban etc.) did not rule all of Yemen but their own territories.

Yemen was only really one unit (this is also even disputed) under the ancient Kingdom of the Sabeans who ruled from 1200 BC until 275 when the Marib Dam collapsed and the widespread Yemeni migrations to Mesopotamia, Levant etc. occurred.

Here are some useful links;

Zaidiyyah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Imams of Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ancient history of Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Islamic history of Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Modern history of Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Timeline of Yemeni history - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Politics of Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Houthis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Demographics of Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

South Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

North Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sabaeans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Himyarite Kingdom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Qataban - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hadhramaut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yemenite Jews - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The last link is good to get an overview.

List of Yemen-related topics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's fair to say that Yemen is one of the most complex countries out there.

P.S:

KSA and Houthi's have no major troubles with each other anymore or historically. KSA was supporting the Zaydi Imam in the 1960's when he lost power. As the only Arab country.
No problems historically outside of the Operation Scorched Earth back in 2009-2010. Besides Houthi's are not going to rule Yemen either. At most their strongholds which they have done already for 20 years.

The thing is that nobody in Yemen can achieve hegemony and regionalism is very strong in Yemen like in other Arab countries. It's practically impossible for Southern Yemenis to rule Northern Yemen and vice versa for instance. Let alone all the other possible examples.

Nor are Houthi's the puppets of any outside power. They are a 100% indigenous movement whose primarily aim is to restore a Zaydi Imam in Northern Yemen again. The last one was removed in the 1960's.

Corruption must be combated and if they can help do that (I doubt it as they themselves are corrupt like any other "organization" in the ME) then good luck to them.

 

[Serpentine]

A small correction. The Houthis are a new movement. Founded in 1994 by Hussein al-Houthi (hence the name of the group). They are Zaydis though and Zaydis are the oldest branch in Shia Islam and were until the Safavids the biggest Shia branch in the world. Their history in Yemen is very long. They are also present in Southwestern regions of KSA alongside Ismaili Shias.

Yes I also said it was Zaidis who ruled Yemen for a millennium. Houthis are Zaidis and borrow their name from their first leader as you mentioned.

Also I have heard Yemen is facing a very dangeous water shortage and it doesn't have a desalination plant, hence it'll cause a very serious damage in not a so distant future. Yemenis should get their $hit together and start becoming one country in real sense, not just a name.

 

[Schutz]

Good, Yemen needs to be stabilised, the worlds fairly quiet on Yemen with just the odd bbc report of bombings popping up despite the death toll increasing in recent months.