Legitimacy And Consensus Of The Houthi Government In Yemen

Abstract

This preliminary research investigates the legitimation and the sources of support of the Houthi government, which has controlled northern Yemen since 2014. It explores the social, political, and religious conditions that enabled the rise of the Houthi movement (Anṣār Allah), founded by Ḥusayn al-Ḥūṯī and later led by his brother, ʿAbd al-Malik. The study emphasizes how the Houthis strategically reinterpreted the traditional Zaydi doctrine to build a new ideological foundation suited to Yemen’s tribal context, where the notion of legitimate authority is crucial. Particular attention is given to their extensive use of propaganda, historical narratives, and media innovation to build a new image of the sāda elite and build popular consensus. Despite these efforts, the Houthi regime’s hold on power remains precarious, threatened by internal dissent and the challenges of maintaining popular support in a war-torn country where the balance between ideological appeal and material governance is increasingly fragile.