Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi is the current leader of the Houthi political, religious and militant movement, which is a major political player in  Yemen and the region.

Houthi: The Houthi movement was estab­lished in 1992 by Hussein Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi, a Zaydi Shia scholar and anti-Wahhabi who wrote a number of books criticizing Wah­habism and the leading authorities of Yemen. The Zaidis ruled most of Yemen for over 1,000 years un­til 1962. They believe that Muslims should be ruled only by a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad , whom they call an Imam.

Leader: Abdul-Malik has made major changes in Yemen through tactical and strategic plans that have enabled him to reach the position where he is today. In 2007, he founded the Al-Minbar website and in 2012 he launched Al-Masirah TV channel.

Taking Yemen: Abdul-Malik emerged as a leader after the February 2011 uprising. The Houthi au­thority seized control over Saada and Jawf provinces in March 2011. Then in 2014, the Houthis seized control over the Demag region in Saada and Am­ran provinces and in September 2014 they stormed the capital Sana’a, seizing a large number of ministries and military facilities. He has driven Al-Qaeda out of the regions which the Houthis have taken.

Humanitarian Toll: Since 2015, they have been subject to aerial bombing by a Saudi-led coalition. This bombing of one of the world’s poorest countries has led to over 150,000 fatalities and a humanitarian crisis claiming over 200,000 deaths as well as leaving around 70% of the popu­lation (27 million) reliant on humanitarian aid and over a million people infected by cholera. The UK in particular has come under international criticism for its supply of weapons which were used in the bombardment.