The Houthis are from northern Yemen , especially the Saada province near the Saudi border. They grew out of a Zaydi Shiite revival movement in Yemen in the 1990s and are named after the al-Houthi family.

Quick Scoop

  • Country: Yemen.
  • Region: Mostly the northwest, especially Saada.
  • Background: They come from Yemen’s Zaydi Shiite community, which has deep roots in northern Yemen.

Why that matters

They are not from Iran, though Iran is often linked to them in regional politics. Their movement is widely described as homegrown and tied to Yemen’s own history, religion, and civil conflict.

TL;DR: The Houthis are a Yemeni movement from northern Yemen, centered in Saada province.[1][4]