U.S. Senator John McCain said in a address at the Brookings Institution, a private nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and innovative policy solutions, he believed the Houthis had become a bigger threat to Yemen than al-Qaeda.
The Houthis which are now organized under their political denomination, Ansar Allah are believed to entertain strong ties with Iran and the Hezbollah.
The group which was funded by late Hussain Bedralddeen al-Houthi in reaction to Sana'a central government' aggressive stance against its Zaidi community was categorized as a dissident group with secessionist tendency right up until 2011 revolution, when old political and power dynamics shifted in their favor.
When Yemen revolutionaries called for former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Abdel Maleh al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis movement immediately offered his support. Within weeks of the uprising, hundreds of Houthis militants traveled to the capital to set up camp.
As months went on the Houthis carved for themselves a bigger, more important role within the revolution; they fast became a important power-broker, one which officials could no longer keep on the sideline of negotiations.
Strong of the support of the Ayatollahs in Iran, the Houthis have managed to morph from a dissident group to a legitimate political faction, all the while building up its para-military forces in its stronghold of Sa'ada (northern province of Yemen).
With a reported one million supporters, and an army a several thousands strong the Houthis represent indeed a mighty foe, should they use to sprung into action.
Senator McCain clearly articulated the threat, noting, "«Iran represents a bigger threat than al-Qaeda in Yemen." He added, " groups linked to Iran have started to emerge in Iraq, Syria and the Peninsula. Iran is trying to play instability to its advantage by tipping the balance of power in its favor."