From June to August 2004, Houthis battled with the Yemeni government under Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi.

The allies launched Operation Scorched Earth, but the rebels agreed to a short truce on 12 February 2010.

[1] The Yemeni government troops led a military operation against the insurgent town of Saada.

Other Islamic rebels also fought against the Yemeni troops, with the fighting destroying much of the old Saada city.

On 19 January 2010, several rebels were killed by government forces in raids on Houthi hideouts in the old corner of the north.