Abstract
Since October 2023, the Israeli offensive against Gaza has elicited various responses from governments and the public worldwide. One notable response came from Ansar Allah al-Houthis in Yemen, which targeted the Israeli territory and Israeli-linked commercial vessels transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This study examines the Houthis intervention in the Gaza War as a case study of rebel governance and the legitimation process during the conflict. It argues that the Houthis military intervention represents a leap in the group’s strategy to legitimize its authority over Yemen and gain local, regional, and international recognition. This analysis highlights the multifaceted processes of rebel governance and how non-state actors seek legitimacy in conflict-affected regions.
