The Houthis essentially rule Yemen. But the news almost always refers to them as the "Houthi Rebels". But what are they "rebels" against? The Republican government of presidents Saleh and Hadi was itself formed from a rebellion against the former Kingdom of Yemen.
The Kingdom of Yemen, actually occupying what used to be called North Yemen, was formed in 1918 when, at the end of the Ottoman Empire, a religious leader, Imam Yahya, entered Sanaa and proclaimed himself as king. This was actually a continuation of the monarchy that goes back to the Ninth Century, originating with the Rassid Dynasty. My impression of the Zaydi branch of Shiite Islam that is practiced in Yemen is that the imam, the religious leader, is also the king.
The Kingdom lasted until the 1960s, when the Republican rebellion against it took place. It resulted in civil war that drew in foreign powers. Egypt supported the Republican side with a military force while Saudi Arabia supported the monarchy.
The Republican side ultimately triumphed and the monarchy was abolished. It inadvertently helped Israel because, when the 1967 Six-Day War came, much of Egypt's military was tied down in Yemen.
As part of the Arab Spring the Republic, led by presidents, was displaced by the Houthis. But the Houthis were led by Zaydi religious leaders, just as was the Kingdom of Yemen. Zaydism is one of the branches of Shiite Islam.
So shouldn't the Houthis be considered as a new dynasty of the Yemeni Monarchy, which is now back in power? With the leader of the Houthis as the King of Yemen?
No comments:
Post a Comment