Objective:

Bridging Yemen's tribal system and Iran's networked deterrence, this article examines how Ansarullah transforms tribal social capital into resistance capital, and how this capital contributes to the credibility and sustainability of Iran's deterrence network in West Asia.



Findings:

From 147 open codes, four global themes emerged: genealogical integration via planned kinship ties, normative redefinition of tribal custom as resistance obligation, local authority reengineering through the musharrafin system, and the moral economy of loyalty. Ansarullah's distinction lies not in material resources but in endogenous embedding within the tribal structure. This endogeneity produces three deterrence functions: node durability against pressure, reduced support costs for Iran, and enhanced threat credibility. Based on role typology, Ansarullah falls into the "deterrent" category, and its sustainability depends on the quality of its supporting social capital.



Conclusion:

Tribal-to-resistance capital conversion is a four-layered gradual process that preserves, redefines, and internally hollows out traditional structures. Beyond Yemen, this secures the southern node's credibility in the regional deterrence network—because belonging-based loyalty, unlike purchased loyalty, does not collapse under pressure, and this durability makes the threat believable to adversaries. The qualitative research combines expert interviews, systematic literature review, and theories of resource mobilization, social capital, and framing.



Keywords: Ansarullah Yemen, Social Capital, Tribal Structure, Resource Mobilization, Networked Deterrence.