The American magazine Foreign Policy has warned of a coordinated international campaign aimed at legitimizing the Iran-backed Houthi movement by portraying it as a “legitimate resistance,” despite its origins as a sectarian militia that overthrew the Yemeni government and now rules through repression.

According to the report:

• The Houthis are engaged in direct military coordination with Moscow.

• Yemeni fighters are reportedly being sent to fight in Ukraine alongside Russian forces.

• They are receiving satellite intelligence from Russia and weapons from China.

• Russian and Chinese media outlets—particularly RT—are promoting the Houthis as “victims of American intervention.”

• The Houthis exploit the Palestinian cause to justify domestic abuses such as forced recruitment, arbitrary arrests, and looting public funds.

The magazine emphasized that the real danger lies not only in the Houthis’ drones and missiles, but also in the misleading media narrative shaping global public opinion. A Foreign Policy researcher warned that this campaign could pave the way for false international recognition of the group.