Houthis: Yemeni Zaydi Shi'a movement founded in 1992 by Husayn Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi. Al-Houthi was trained as religious scholar & jurist.
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
Al-Houthi & Zaydis felt marginalised by Yemeni gov't. So started movement in 1990s known as Believing Youth, later became Houthis #Yemen
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
Houthi rebellion goes back to 1990s. They complained of Saudi plot to meddle in Yemeni affairs & undermine Zaydi faith #Yemen
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
In the 80s cleric Miqbal Wadi'i moved to Yemen & founded religious schools in Sa'ada to undermine Zaydi faith. School called Dar Hadith
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
Number of Zaydi youth converted to Wadi'i Wahhabism. Houthi responded by writing polemics against Wahhabism. Accused KSA of meddling too.
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
Struggle between Houthis & Yemeni gov't started in 1990s due to former feeling marginalised, politically & religiously #Yemen
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
To assert their own unique Zaydi identity, Husayn Houthi (killed 2004) said, "we r not like Shi'as of Iran. we are Zaydis'
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
In 1990s, Yemeni Sunnis joined Houthi movement b'cos they despised Wahhabi currents whom they accused of being foreign & Saudi funded.
— Shi'a Jihadica (@JihadicaS) March 25, 2015
