Abdul-Malik al-Houthi | |
|---|---|
عبد الملك الحوثي | |
 | |
| 2nd Leader of theHouthis | |
| Assumed office 10 September 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Hussein al-Houthi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi (1979-05-22)22 May 1979 (age 46) |
| Relations | Houthi family |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Hussein al-Houthi (brother) Yahia al-Houthi (brother) Mohammed al-Houthi (cousin) |
| Profession |
|
| Tribe | Houthi |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Houthis |
| Years of service | 2004–present |
| Rank | Commander |
| Battles/wars | |
Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi[a] (born 22 May 1979) is a Yemeni politician and religious leader who is the second leader of theHouthis (Ansar Allah), an organization principally made up ofZaydi Shia Muslims, since 2004.
His late brotherHussein was the founder of the group, whose leadership he succeeded after the latter's death in battle. His other brothers Ibrahim (deceased), Abdulkhaliq (deceased),Yahia and Abdul-Karim were or are also leaders of the group. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi is the leading figure in theYemeni civil war which started with theHouthi takeover in Yemen in theSaada Governorate in northern Yemen.
Al-Houthi was born inSaada Governorate,Yemen Arab Republic, into theHouthi tribe on 22 May 1979.[2][3] He is aZaydi Shia Muslim. His father,Badreddin al-Houthi, was a religious scholar of Yemen's minority Zaydi sect. Abdul-Malik is the youngest among his eight brothers.[4] His older brother,Hussein, was politically active and a member of the parliament ofYemen, as well as being a prominent critic of the former President of Yemen,Ali Abdullah Saleh. Hussein founded the Houthi movement to promote Zaidi thought,"rise against the oppressors ruling Yemen", and to provide educational and social services. After Hussein was killed, Abdul-Malik succeeded him by taking control of theHouthi movement.[5][6][7]
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi criticized the Yemeni government for maintaining a status quo in the country, which he said had plunged people into poverty, and accused the government of marginalizing the Zaidi community.[citation needed] The Yemeni government of president Ali Abdullah Saleh accused al-Houthi's group of trying to reestablish the"clerical imamate", which al-Houthi denied.[8]
Al-Houthi was reported to have been badly injured during an air raid in December 2009, a claim denied by a spokesman.[citation needed] On 26 December 2009, two days after a heavy air strike from theRoyal Saudi Air Force, it was claimed that Al-Houthi had been killed.[9][10] However, the claim was refuted by the Houthis, who then released video evidence showing he was alive.[citation needed]
Al-Houthi addressed the nation onYemen TV in a late-night speech on 20 January 2015, after troops loyal to himseized the presidential palace and attacked the private residence of presidentAbdrabbuh Mansur Hadi inSana'a. He demanded Hadi implement reforms giving the Houthi movement more control over the government.[11] Although it was initially reported that Hadi conceded to al-Houthi's demands,[12] the president resigned from office on 22 January, saying the political process had "reached a dead end".[13] TheUN Security Council then imposed sanctions on al-Houthi.[14] He was praised by Iranian conservative politicianMohsen Rezaee, in a statement of moral support and defense of "real Islamic awakening".[15]
During the bombing of the Sanaa airport by Saudi-led coalition warplanes in 2015, missiles pounded al-Houthi's hometown of Marran.[16]
Al-Houthi condemned theUK military cooperation and arms sales to Saudi military.[17] According to aSky News analysis, The UK has sold at least £5.7bn worth of arms to theSaudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen since 2015.[17]
During theGaza war, Al-Houthi's spokespersonYahya Saree stated that the Houthis had launched a large number of missiles and drones towards Israel, however, they were not explicitly declaring war on the country.[18][19]
In March 2025, al-Houthi condemned themassacres of Syrian Alawites and publishing of such killing on social media. He accused SyrianTakfiri groups of committing genocide against defenseless citizens.[20]
TheUN announced a travel ban on al-Houthi in November 2014 after the Houthi takeover of Sana'a.[21] On 27 April 2015, theUS Treasury Department added Abdul-Malik to itsSpecially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.[22][23]
During a visit to the northern province,Jamal Benomar, the formerUN envoy toYemen, met with al-Houthi and said he supported the Houthi group in their rejection of moving the talks between Al Houthi and the current government outside of Yemen, in spite of the complaint of Hadi, the Yemeni legitimate president.[24]
On 10 January 2020, U.S. Secretary of StateMike Pompeo announced plans to designate Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi and Abdullah Yahya al Hakim asSpecially Designated Global Terrorists.[25] The following year,Antony J. Blinken revoked the designation.[26]
On 16 May 2025, during the context of theGaza war, Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense MinisterIsrael Katz warned al-Houthi that if his group's attacks on Israel continue, he will be directly targeted and "hunted down and eliminated," saying that al-Houthi could "join the list" ofHamas leaderYahya Sinwar andHezbollah chiefHassan Nasrallah; both killed byIsrael.[27][28]
| Preceded by | Leader of the Houthi Movement September 2004 – present | Succeeded by - |