The Legitimacy Trap: International Institutions and the Houthis' Hold on Yemen
The Houthis' survival in Yemen is often attributed to their battlefield victories and Iranian support. However, a crucial third factor is the weaponization of international engagement.
Engagement without accountability has been shown to strengthen rather than moderate Houthi behavior, creating a pattern that continues to repeat itself.
A Recent Example
On September 2, 2025, following Israeli airstrikes that killed Ahmed al-Rahawi and 12 other Houthi cabinet members, the ICRC chief of mission met with Houthi Foreign Ministry official Ismail al-Mutawakkil in Sanaa.
The ICRC representative offered condolences for the "crime committed by the Zionist entity" and expressed "solidarity" with Yemen, while also promising that the ICRC's plans to provide assistance remained unchanged.
This interaction highlights the complex dynamics at play in international engagement with the Houthis.
Author's summary: International institutions' engagement with the Houthis can inadvertently legitimize their actions.
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