by Al-Fassel | 2026-02-11

The survival of Yemen's Houthi movement heavily depends on support from the Iranian regime in Tehran.

A reliance increasingly exposed as unrest in Iran raises questions about Tehran's ability to sustain its regional allies.

Analysts say the Houthis lack economic self‑sufficiency, operating a war economy fueled by foreign assistance rather than domestic production or inclusive governance.

This dependence leaves the Houthi group vulnerable to changes in Tehran's internal stability and evolving strategic priorities.

Such vulnerability complicates claims of independence and undermines narratives that depict the Houthis as a self-reliant movement.

Experts point to Houthis' dependence on Tehran

Researchers studying Houthi-controlled areas view Iran's internal protests as potentially weakening sustained financial and military assistance.

A Media Line survey found roughly 80 percent of respondents considered Iranian unrest a significant development for Houthi durability.

Experts caution the findings reflect perceptions among informed observers, not direct access to classified information about the group's funding or military status.

Still, Houthis' reliance on Iranian training, technology and financing limits their autonomy and strategic flexibility.

The Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Houthi leaders are increasingly concerned about the escalation of protests in Iran, their primary supporter.

UN panels and Western governments have long accused Tehran of supplying missiles, drones and expertise to the Houthis, allegations the Iranian regime denies.

Such support enables cross-border attacks, maritime threats and prolonged fighting that destabilize Yemen and surrounding waterways.

Iranian regime's support deepens Yemen's humanitarian crisis

Aid officials say the Iranian regime's backing sustains a war economy prioritizing military operations while civilian governance, salaries and services remain neglected.

Millions of public-sector workers have gone unpaid for years in Houthi-held areas, according to the UN and humanitarian organizations.

The UN estimates nearly 20 million Yemenis require humanitarian assistance, with food insecurity, displacement and disease persisting nationwide.

Analysts argue continued external backing reduces incentives for compromise, allowing Houthi leaders to obstruct political processes without immediate domestic accountability.

Protests in Iran have amplified debate about regional implications, highlighting how disruptions in Tehran could constrain proxy financing and logistics.

Some experts say reduced support could pressure the Houthis to reconsider maximalist positions and engage more seriously in peace negotiations.

Others caution that sudden funding shocks risk internal fragmentation or increased predation on civilians to offset losses.

Still, the protests underscore the Houthis' vulnerability and dependence on an external patron facing its own instability.

Durable peace requires reducing proxy warfare, restoring state institutions and prioritizing Yemenis' basic needs over military objectives.