# Explainer: How Yemen’s Houthis grew from a small mountain militia into a major regional threat

https://mins.news/en/item/62344

- Reuters, 2026-09-17 09:10 UTC
- World
- Original: https://reut.rs/4cRSMtj

> A rapid Houthi advance in Yemen has put the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait under the group’s control. The once ragtag highland militia has thereby become a regional force with global influence.

## Stories

- [Houthi Saudi Red Sea Conflict](https://mins.news/en/topic/houthi-yemen-saudi-red-sea-conflict-2026-08) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/houthi-yemen-saudi-red-sea-conflict-2026-08.md

## Related coverage

- [What is behind the timing of the Houthis’ new offensive in Yemen?](https://mins.news/en/item/63180) — TRT World, 2026-09-17
- [Yemen's Houthis: From ragtag militia to geopolitical heavyweight](https://mins.news/en/video/62449) — Reuters, 2026-09-17
- [‘They called us’: Has Trump abandoned Bab al-Mandeb to the Houthis?](https://mins.news/en/item/62409) — Al Jazeera, 2026-09-17
