Houthi Red Sea offensive elevates enigmatic Yemeni commander's standing

Yemen's Houthi militants, led by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, seized key Red Sea ports, disrupting global trade and escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia. The offensive, backed by Iran, has turned the group into a major regional player, with al-Houthi threatening US and Israeli actions over Gaza.

Al-Houthi has transformed his men, fierce mountain fighters often in sandals and hooked on the green leaf stimulant qat, into a force of tens of thousands.