Houthi influence will reshape Yemeni society

Just before October 7th, Yemen's Houthi repels announced that they would reshuffle their government to eliminate any remnants of the regime of deposed President and former Houthi ally of convenience Ali Abdullah Saleh.

What remains of Saleh’s GPC party in Sanaa had voiced solidarity with teachers’ protests demanding the Houthis pay their long overdue salaries in the summer of 2023, and so the Houthis responded with an announcement that they would remove the last remaining GPC officials from official positions and confiscate their assets.

After delaying this purge since October, it now appears imminent. It is also noteworthy that in recent weeks there have been unprecedented attacks on the Houthis’ other domestic enemies: dozens of aid workers, musicians, and others who are seen as undermining the regime’s extremist ideology have been arrested.

Houthi attacks on red sea shipping did not resolve Yemenis’ fundamental problems attributed to the group’s rule: an abysmal economy, brutal repression, radicalization of hundreds of thousands of Yemeni children, and a regime that privileges a few families associated with the Houthi elite. 

Therefore, it is easy to see how Yemenis’ excitement to protest in celebration of an oppressive regime for making aggressive gestures in support of a far-off people would wane over time.

Analysts believe these attacks will be useful tools for sporadic boosts to Houthi popularity among Yemenis and for deterring the Houthis’ adversaries from interfering with the group’s designs. If it works, that will provide the Houthis with the opportunity they need to advance their long-term goals: building up an even more dangerous arsenal while reshaping Yemeni society in their image.