article_snippet: In 2009 the Saudis took military action against The Houthis in support of then President Ali Abdullah Saleh, using airstrikes and special forces, but were unable to subdue airstrikes and special forces.
article_snippet: The Houthis have at least some of the $500 million in military equipment provided by the U.S. to Yemen since 2010, and The Houthis have proved to be capable fighters.
article_snippet: The extent of the Houthis' backing from Iran is hotly disputed.
article_snippet: President Hadi said at the weekend that Iran was behind Yemen's turmoil and the Houthis' were no more than the Houthis' stooges.
article_snippet: the Houthis' deny receiving help from Iran, but as the conflict worsens, the Houthis' may indeed turn to Tehran for the sort of military advice that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are providing in Iraq -- and for funding and oil.
article_snippet: Ahmed Ali was formerly commander of Yemen's Republican Guard, and parts of the armed forces are still regarded as loyal to the Saleh clan.
article_snippet: For now, Saleh has a marriage of convenience with the Houthis, but few expect the Houthis to survive.
article_snippet: When Saleh was President, Saleh launched a series of brief wars against the Houthis between 2004 and 2010.