SANAA, (HAN) — A senior Houthi military commander, Mohammed al-Qamari, has been killed in what the Iran-backed rebel group described as a “carefully planned ambush,” marking one of the most significant losses for the Houthis in recent months.
In a statement released late Thursday, the Houthi movement confirmed al-Qamari’s death, saying the attack took place in an undisclosed area under their control. The group called the killing a “treacherous plot” against one of its key military leaders but did not specify who was behind the operation.
While the Houthis reiterated that their “battle against the Israeli-backed system” is ongoing, they stopped short of directly accusing Israel of involvement in the assassination.
“This crime will not go unanswered,” the group said in its statement. “The martyrdom of Commander Mohammed al-Qamari will only strengthen our resolve in confronting aggression and defending our sovereignty.”
Al-Qamari was reportedly one of the top field commanders overseeing Houthi military operations in western Yemen, particularly along the Red Sea coast, where the group has maintained control over key strategic positions.
His death is expected to deal a blow to the Houthi military command structure, as al-Qamari had been instrumental in coordinating drone and missile operations targeting vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have intensified attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea over the past year, claiming the operations target vessels linked to Israel and its Western allies. The group has described its actions as part of a broader campaign to pressure Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Analysts say the timing of al-Qamari’s death could escalate tensions in Yemen and the wider region, where efforts to negotiate a lasting ceasefire between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition have made fragile progress.
“Al-Qamari’s killing may trigger retaliation and further destabilize the fragile truce in Yemen,” said a regional security analyst based in Aden. “It also raises questions about whether external actors were involved in the operation.”
The Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, has been fighting the internationally recognized Yemeni government and a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. The conflict has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people displaced and dependent on aid.
In recent months, the Houthis have sought to expand their influence beyond Yemen’s borders, positioning themselves as part of the “axis of resistance” alongside Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah and Iraqi militias.
The death of Commander al-Qamari adds another layer of uncertainty to Yemen’s already volatile political landscape, potentially complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the decade-long war.
