Houthi chief survived Israeli assassination attempt, severely injured
New information received by the defense establishment on Wednesday indicated that the chief of staff of the Houthi rebel forces in Yemen survived the Israeli assassination attempt – but was severely injured.
On Sunday, a security source announced that Muhammad al-Karim al-Ghamari was the target of the strike carried out in the capital city of Sana'a.
Initially, the Saudi Al-Hadath channel reported that the attack targeted a meeting of the "Jihad Council" of the Houthi rebel militia in Yemen, headed by Mahdi al-Mashat, the second-in-command within Houthi ranks and the "president" of the Sana'a government.
However, another report suggests that Ghamari was attending a social khat-chewing session.
Last week, the Israeli Navy launched an attack on the city of Hodeidah in Yemen, for the first time since the war began.
Media outlets affiliated with the Houthi rebel group reported that Hodeidah's port was attacked twice.
The IDF spokesperson reported that Israeli Navy missile ships struck targets in the port "in response to the Houthi terrorist regime’s aggression toward the State of Israel."
"The port that was attacked is used for transferring weapons and serves as another example of the Houthi terrorist regime’s cynical use and exploitation of civilian infrastructure for promoting terror activity," the IDF said.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded, "Israel's long arm – in the air and at sea – will reach everywhere. We warned the Houthis that if they continue firing toward Israel, they will receive a powerful response and be subjected to a naval and aerial blockade."
Roi Kais is an Arab Affairs correspondent for Kan 11.
