Who are the Houthi leaders?
The
Houthi movement, also known as
Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), is a significant player in the
Yemeni civil war. Here’s what we know about them:
- Hussein al-Houthi: The movement’s late founder, Hussein al-Houthi, launched “Believing Youth,” a religious revival movement for a centuries-old subsect of Shia Islam called Zaidism. The Zaidis ruled Yemen for centuries but were marginalized under the Sunni regime that came to power after the 1962 civil war.
- Abdul Malik al-Houthi: Hussein al-Houthi’s brother, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, is the current leader of the Houthi movement. He took over after Hussein was killed in 2004. Abdul Malik al-Houthi remains an enigmatic figure, and many say they have never laid eyes on him in person.
The Houthi movement has been involved in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, and their attacks have recently escalated in the Red Sea, impacting global shipping and oil companies.
Who are the leaders of the Yemen government?
As of
April 7, 2022, the leadership structure in Yemen has undergone significant changes. Here are the key points:
- Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi: Formerly the president of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi ceded his authority to a Presidential Leadership Council. This council now exercises the powers of both the president and vice president. The council is led by Rashad al-Alimi, a former interior minister under President Saleh.
- Mahdi al-Mashat: However, it’s essential to note that the Houthi Supreme Political Council’s chairman, Mahdi al-Mashat, contests the Hadi faction’s claim to the presidency. Al-Mashat is only recognized by Iran.
In summary, the Yemeni government’s leadership is currently vested in the Presidential Leadership Council, with Rashad al-Alimi at the helm, while Mahdi al-Mashat disputes this claim.