This is the secret of Iran’s relationship with Hezbollah… a report that reveals a lot about the axis of resistance

The doctrinal roots of the Ansar Allah Houthi movement go back to the doctrine of Zaidi Shiite Islam, which differs from the Twelver doctrine prevailing in Iran.

Many political, geographical and doctrinal factors played a role in the crystallization of the Houthi movement, in addition to the movement’s demands related to the rights of residents in areas with a Zaidi majority.

The movement’s first leader, Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi, was influenced by the ideas of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the idea of ​​political leadership with religious legitimacy, and resistance to colonialism and Zionism.

The movement also adopts some of the slogans of the Iranian revolution, such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

The movement turned into an armed organization in 2004, which also witnessed the killing of Hussein al-Houthi, and his younger brother, Abdul Malik, succeeded him in leadership. However, the movement fought many wars with the government of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the Houthis strengthened their position and influence in the country after the fall of Saleh in 2012 and his supporters turned to supporting them militarily.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of providing military support to the Houthis, and was concerned about the alliance between them. Also, the Kingdom led a military coalition against them in 2015.

Despite the strong relations between Iran and the Houthis, and Tehran’s strengthening of their military capabilities, which include ballistic missiles, anti-ship missiles, and drones, observers point out that these relations differ from Iranian relations with Hezbollah, for example, due to the presence of a sectarian difference, and given that the Houthis, in their opinion, do not seek to play a role. Regional, but rather focus on their internal situation.

“It is better to see them as allies rather than agents of Iran,” says Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s political editor, who spent a fair amount of time with the Houthis in Yemen.

Bowen describes the Houthis as “people with a very independent mindset, who enjoy entering into conflict with the Americans, and want to be part of this war in Gaza.”

Indeed, the Houthis have become part of the war, launching dozens of missile and drone attacks on Western commercial and military ships since mid-November, saying that the attacks aim to support the Palestinians.