Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Houthi movement in Yemen has confirmed the death of its top military commander, Lieutenant General Mohammed Abdulkarim al-Ghamari, in what it described as Israeli airstrikes. Al-Ghamari, along with his 13-year-old son Hussein and several bodyguards, was reportedly killed during a recent round of air raids, the group announced Thursday via its affiliated Al-Masirah media outlet.
In an official statement, the group mourned the loss of one of its most senior figures, describing him as a martyr who died in what it calls the “battle of Al-Aqsa Flood”, the Houthi’s self-styled campaign of support for Palestinian militants in Gaza. The campaign, launched in late 2023, has included dozens of missile and drone attacks targeting shipping routes in the Red Sea and, on occasion, Israel itself.
According to the statement, the group’s military forces have carried out 758 operations over the past two years, involving more than 1,800 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic projectiles, drones, and naval attacks. These operations, the Houthis say, are part of their broader campaign titled “The Promised Victory and Sacred Jihad,” aimed at backing Palestinian resistance groups and defending Muslim holy sites.
Al-Ghamari’s death marks a significant development in the ongoing regional escalation, as he was widely regarded as one of the most powerful and strategic military leaders within the Houthi hierarchy. Many analysts considered him the de facto military commander of the group, often described as the right-hand man of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
Israeli authorities have not officially commented on the latest airstrike, but it follows a series of targeted operations that appear to be aimed at disrupting the Houthi leadership and their capacity to threaten maritime security and regional stability.
In June 2025, Israeli forces reportedly launched an airstrike targeting a high-level meeting in southern Sanaa, in what was later revealed to be an attempt to eliminate al-Ghamari. Israeli media sources at the time stated that he was the primary target and that he had survived with serious injuries. That incident marked the first publicly acknowledged Israeli strike aimed at a top Houthi official.
Al-Ghamari had long been on the radar of international intelligence agencies. In May 2021, the United States designated him as a national security threat, citing his role in destabilizing the region, and imposed sanctions on him. His increasing role in orchestrating cross-border attacks and naval operations placed him on the list of high-value targets, particularly as the Houthis escalated their involvement in the regional conflict.
The Houthi statement also condemned what it called a “brutal aggression by the American-Zionist coalition,” referring to the U.S. and Israel, accusing them of targeting civilian and economic infrastructure in Yemen. The group claimed that its resistance, despite the high cost in lives, represents a symbol of national pride and sacrifice.
Over the past two years, hundreds of civilians and military personnel ranging from members of Yemen’s naval and missile forces to senior political figures have reportedly been killed in the course of these hostilities. The Houthis frame these losses as part of their broader ideological and military campaign tied to the Palestinian cause.
Al-Ghamari’s death is likely to further complicate the volatile situation in the Red Sea and across the broader Middle East, as tensions between Iran-aligned groups and Israel continue to escalate against the backdrop of the Gaza war. It also raises questions about potential retaliation by the Houthis and the future of their military command structure.
While no immediate successor has been named, observers say the Houthi movement is likely to continue its operations, drawing upon a deep bench of military commanders and ideological commitment to sustain its campaign, both in Yemen and beyond.
