Who are the Houthis in Yemen and what do they want?

Share Save Add as preferred on Google Robert Greenall EPA The Houthis captured key coastal areas in their recent rapid advance Yemen's civil war has flared up in recent weeks as the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which controls much of the country's north-west, seized large strategically important stretches of the Red Sea coast in a rapid offensive.

The territory includes the port of Mokha, which overlooks the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a chokepoint for global shipping.

Oil prices have risen on fears of further disruption to the global economy, following six months of war between the US, Israel and Iran.

Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed on both sides during the Houthis' advance, which came after the collapse of a four-year informal ceasefire. The UN says more than 120,000 people have been displaced by the escalation.