Sanaa – A senior Houthi military commander, Major General Mohammed al-Ghamari, was killed in an Israeli attack, teh Iran-backed group announced thursday, triggering vows of retaliation. The death of al-Ghamari, a key figure in the Houthi military structure, escalates tensions amid ongoing regional fallout from the conflict in Gaza and raises the prospect of further attacks by the group against Israeli and international shipping interests.
The Houthis stated al-Ghamari “died fighting honorably against Israel‘s enemies,” without disclosing the timing or specific details of the attack. His death, alongside reported casualties including his 13-year-old son, comes after a period of increased Houthi military activity targeting Israel-linked vessels in the Red Sea and following Israeli airstrikes within Yemen in late September, which the Israeli military confirmed included targeting Houthi general staff headquarters.
According to houthi statements, the group has launched 758 military operations, deploying 1,835 munitions – including drones and missiles – toward Israel. They assert these attacks are part of their role within Iran’s “axis of resistance” against Israel and the United States, and have warned of “commensurate punishment” for Israel’s actions.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has not yet commented specifically on al-Ghamari’s death. The Houthis’ pledge of revenge suggests a continuation, and potential escalation, of their attacks, possibly impacting maritime trade routes and further destabilizing the region.
(moroc/haf)