The Houthi rebels are a political and armed movement from northern Yemen, primarily composed of members of the Zaydi sect of Shia Islam. They emerged in the early 2000s, initially focusing on cultural and religious rights, but later expanded their goals to include political power and opposition to the Yemeni government. In 2014, the Houthis took control of the capital, Sana'a, leading to a civil war that drew in regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with widespread famine and displacement affecting millions of Yemenis.