Houthis' Disruptive Force Hits Global Shipping, Oil Markets

Yemen's Houthi rebels have become an increasingly disruptive force in the Middle East. The group, backed by Iran, has launched a wave of attacks on Saudi oil facilities, Israel, and global shipping routes.

The Houthis have been at war with Yemen's internationally recognized government since 2014, when they swept down from their mountainous heartland and seized much of northern and central Yemen. The conflict has killed an estimated 150,000 people and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

In recent years, the Houthis have targeted Israel and Saudi Arabia in solidarity with Iran and allied armed groups. They have also declared a blockade on Saudi shipping, threatening a major oil exporter at a time of soaring prices.

The group's attacks have had significant economic consequences, disrupting global trade routes and driving up fuel prices. The Houthis' profile rose after the outbreak of the Gaza war, when they began launching missile and drone attacks on Israel and targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea.