Saada, a city nestled in the northern highlands of Yemen, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the Arabian Peninsula. Its history stretches back millennia, with some scholars tracing its origins to the pre-Islamic era. The city was a key stop along the ancient incense trade routes, connecting the civilizations of South Arabia to the Mediterranean world.
In recent decades, Saada has become synonymous with the Houthi movement, a Zaidi Shia rebel group that has played a central role in Yemen’s ongoing civil war. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, emerged in the 1990s as a revivalist movement advocating for the rights of Yemen’s Zaidi community, which had long felt marginalized by the Sunni-dominated government.
The group’s founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, was killed in 2004 during clashes with government forces, but his death only galvanized the movement. Today, the Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and have become a major player in regional geopolitics.
The Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in Yemen in 2015 turned Saada into a battleground. The city has been subjected to relentless airstrikes, with reports of civilian casualties and widespread destruction. The Houthis, however, have proven resilient, leveraging their knowledge of the rugged terrain to withstand military offensives.
The war has devastated Saada’s infrastructure, leaving its residents without reliable access to food, clean water, or medical care. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of famine-like conditions in the region, with children bearing the brunt of the suffering. Despite international aid efforts, blockades and bureaucratic hurdles have severely limited relief operations.
Beyond the headlines of war, Saada is a city rich in cultural heritage. Its old town, with its distinctive mud-brick architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Mosque of Saada, believed to date back to the 7th century, stands as a testament to the city’s Islamic heritage.
Saada has long been a center of Zaidi scholarship, producing some of Yemen’s most influential religious leaders. The Zaidi school of thought, a branch of Shia Islam, has shaped the region’s political and social fabric for centuries. Even as the Houthi movement has politicized Zaidi identity, the tradition itself remains a vital part of Yemen’s diverse religious landscape.
The conflict in Saada is not just a local struggle—it’s a proxy war with global implications. Iran’s support for the Houthis has drawn the ire of Saudi Arabia and its allies, while the U.S. and other Western powers have backed the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis’ ability to launch missiles into Saudi territory and disrupt shipping in the Red Sea has further internationalized the conflict.
From drone strikes to arms smuggling, the war in Saada reflects the broader tensions between regional and global powers. The Biden administration’s decision to revoke the Houthis’ terrorist designation in 2021 was seen as a diplomatic overture, but the group’s continued attacks have complicated peace efforts. Meanwhile, Russia and China have used the conflict to challenge Western influence in the Middle East.
As the war drags on, the people of Saada remain caught in the crossfire. Whether through negotiation or continued fighting, the city’s fate will have lasting consequences for Yemen and the wider region. Its history, culture, and resilience make it a symbol of both tragedy and hope in one of the world’s most forgotten conflicts.