Israel has reportedly attempted to eliminate Mohammed Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari, the military chief of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, in an airstrike in Sanaa, as relayed by various Arabic-language news outlets on Saturday. The results of this operation remain unclear, particularly regarding al-Ghamari’s status and whether others were present during the attack. Some reports indicate that the strike may have struck a gathering of high-ranking Houthi officials.
A Yemeni security source told Ynet that al-Ghamari also oversees the Houthis’ missile initiatives. Saudi-based Al Hadath noted that the airstrike targeted a residential area where Houthi leaders reside, located near the Lebanese Hospital, just south of al-Sabeen Square in Sanaa. This area is recognized for hosting significant weekly protests against Israel. Initial reports suggest that the meeting may have included Mahdi al-Mashat, president of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council.
Additionally, Sky News Arabia referenced Yemeni sources confirming that al-Ghamari was the primary target of the strike, although his death has yet to be verified. These sources indicated that the operation aimed at a session of the Houthi Supreme Military Council.
The Houthis, who control a significant portion of western Yemen and have Iranian support, have recently launched numerous missiles toward Israel, declaring their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Notably, in early May, one of their missiles eluded interception and impacted near Ben Gurion International Airport, causing severe disruptions to air travel.