Houthi Commander and His Son Killed in Israeli Air Strike
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has confirmed the death of its military chief of staff, Major General Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, in what it called an “honourable battle” against Israel.
In a statement released Thursday, the group said al-Ghamari and his 13-year-old son, Hussein, were killed during Israeli air strikes on Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, in late August.
The Houthis’ announcement praised the commander’s death as “a blessed martyrdom” and part of his “religious and national duty” to resist Israeli aggression. It added that many civilians and fighters had also been killed over the past two years in what it termed the “criminal American-Zionist aggression” on Yemen.
Israel Confirms Strike Targeting Houthi Leadership
The Israeli government said al-Ghamari died from wounds sustained in a precision strike that also killed the Houthi government’s prime minister and several ministers.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the air strike in Sanaa successfully targeted “another chief of staff in the line of terror leaders who sought to harm us.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed the death, declaring, “We will reach all of them,” referring to top commanders of groups aligned with Iran’s regional network.
He described al-Ghamari as a “terror architect” behind drone and missile attacks on Israeli and Red Sea targets.
Background: Houthis’ Expanding Role in the Regional Conflict
The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, have controlled much of northwestern Yemen since ousting the internationally recognised government a decade ago. The takeover sparked a civil war that has left the country deeply divided and impoverished.
Following the October 2023 Gaza conflict, the Houthis began launching missile and drone attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping, claiming they were acting in solidarity with Palestinians.
Their actions disrupted key maritime routes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, forcing international navies, including the US and UK, to respond with coordinated strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
The US and Britain have both carried out dozens of air strikes targeting radar systems, missile depots, and launch sites in Houthi-controlled areas. Washington and London have accused the group of threatening global trade and regional stability.
Houthi Statement Vows Retaliation and Continued Resistance
In its latest statement, the Houthi movement described the killing of al-Ghamari as “a source of pride” and vowed revenge for his death.
“The rounds of conflict with the enemy have not ended,” the group warned. “The Zionist enemy will receive its deterrent punishment for the crimes it has committed.”
The Houthis portrayed al-Ghamari’s death as a sacrifice in the path of jihad, asserting that his loss would not weaken their resolve. The group promised to continue its “struggle against Israel and its allies” until “victory is achieved.”
The statement also framed the recent Israeli strikes as part of a wider campaign led by the “American-Zionist alliance” aimed at crushing resistance movements across the Middle East.
Israeli Officials Hail Strike as Major Blow to Houthis
Reacting to the news, Israeli officials described the elimination of al-Ghamari as a significant counter-terror achievement.
Defence Minister Katz said on social media that the commander had joined “his thwarted comrades of the Axis of Evil in the depths of hell.”
He added, “We have worked hard to neutralise the Houthis’ ability to threaten Israel and regional security — and we will continue doing so against any future threats.”
Israel’s defence establishment has not reported any Houthi missile or drone launches since last week, following the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Analysts say al-Ghamari’s death may have temporarily disrupted Houthi command and control structures, limiting their operational capability.
Houthi Leadership Signals Readiness for Further Action
Despite the setback, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed that his forces would remain combat-ready and would resume attacks if Israel failed to uphold the ceasefire terms.
“Our readiness continues,” he said in a televised address, warning that the group would not hesitate to respond “if the enemy violates its commitments.”
Regional observers view al-Ghamari’s death as part of a broader Israeli strategy to dismantle the command hierarchy of Iran-aligned groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and militias in Syria and Iraq.
Growing International Concern Over Yemen’s Instability
The renewed hostilities in Yemen have raised fears of further escalation in a country already devastated by a decade-long conflict.
Humanitarian organisations warn that continued air strikes could worsen the crisis for millions of Yemenis facing food insecurity, displacement, and economic collapse.
The United Nations has repeatedly urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to negotiations aimed at ending the war.
However, the latest Israeli strikes — coupled with the Houthis’ vows of retaliation — suggest that Yemen may once again become a major flashpoint in the wider Middle Eastern conflict.
