How the movement adapted to dominate Yemeni politics.
… the critical new structure was the Political Bureau. It is this department that has continued to grow. The bureau shows the fusion of hierarchical structures and the continuing importance of interpersonal relationships within the Houthi movement. Ultimately, while Habra was in fact the first head of the Political Bureau, its members were all appointed by Abdul-Malik and directly loyal to him. The bureau has grown so big that today no one knows how many members it has, or even whether they number in the dozens or hundreds. Today, the bureau publishes all statements and positions on behalf of the Houthis. Despite its unknown membership, it is the most prominent political organ of the group.
The Houthis are a constantly evolving entity that does not function like a traditional hierarchical organization. And despite its significance since the days of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled the country for more than three decades, very little has been written about the informal nature of Yemeni politics, aside from Sarah Phillips’ “Yemen and the Politics of Permanent Crisis.” As the group itself keeps evolving, so does the nature of the threat it poses. Yet international and regional diplomacy and pressure have not evolved in response, and as a result all efforts to rein in the group have failed so far.