Yemen's Zaidi al-Houthi rebels have expanded their area of control over the past two months from their traditional stronghold in the northern province of Saada to neighboring al-Jawf province. The next goal for the al-Houthi expansion appears to be Midi, a small town with access to the Red Sea. The acquisition and control of Midi has been one of the al-Houthis' main strategic aims. Though the port does not hold great economic significance for Yemen — it is very small, and it is unclear if it can accommodate large container ships — Midi has been the rebels' main access point to small arms, funding and possibly foreign advisers. In 2009, Midi — along with the port in Salif — was thought to facilitate the smuggling of weapons and materials to the rebels. Midi is also known as an entry point for illegal immigrants being smuggled into Yemen. In November 2009, Yemeni authorities arrested 30 illegal Somali migrants believed to have been smuggled through the port city; these immigrants allegedly were deployed to take up arms with the al-Houthis. Some could have been on their way elsewhere, as Yemen has served as an intermediary destination for African migrants on their way to jobs in Saudi Arabia. If the al-Houthis could gain full control of Midi or Salif, it would be easier for them to acquire weapons and resources to secure and defend the provinces where they have established influence. It could also give them control of some amount of trade, which would give them tax revenue to support their attempts at autonomy. This would cause concern in Saudi Arabia, which fears that any success by the al-Houthis in Yemen would inspire the group's fellow Zaidis across the border. If the al-Houthis can secure a path to these ports, the Saudis likely would intervene.
