The Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Zaydi Shia political and militant group based in Yemen that has become a central actor in regional instability. Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza, the group has significantly expanded its operations, frequently launching missile and drone attacks against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and targeting territory within Israel. Their actions, often viewed through the lens of their strategic alignment with Iran, have prompted major security concerns for global trade routes and drawn direct military responses from a U.S.-led coalition, further complicating the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.