Israeli Airstrike Targets Secret Houthi Meeting In Yemen's Capital Sanaa: Reports

An Israeli airstrike has reportedly struck a residence in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, where a "secret meeting of senior Houthi leaders" was allegedly underway, according to a source close to the Houthi movement.

The house, situated in southern Sanaa, was swiftly sealed off by heavy Houthi security presence, as ambulances arrived at the scene, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday evening.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

According to anti-Houthi local media outlets on social media, the meeting was chaired by Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Supreme Political Council, along with Abdulkarim al-Gumari, the Houthis' military chief of staff.

Additional media reports claimed the gathering was also attended by top Houthi figure Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, head of the Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, and Houthi military intelligence chief Abu Ali al-Hakim.

The Houthi group has yet to release an official statement on the matter.

A Yemeni security official told Ynet that al-Gumari also oversees the Houthis' missile programme.

Saudi-based news outlet Al Hadath reported that the strike targeted a residential compound housing Houthi leaders, located near the Lebanese Hospital, just south of al-Sabeen Square in Sanaa.

The area is known for hosting large-scale weekly demonstrations against Israel.

Residents living nearby told Xinhua they witnessed at least 10 charred bodies at the site.

Since November 2023, the Houthi movement, which controls vast areas of northern Yemen, has been launching attacks on Israel in a declared show of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

The group has issued strong condemnations of the continued Israeli strikes on Iran, vowing in a statement that it would intensify its long-range missile assaults against Israel.

Backed by Iran, the Houthis-who maintain control over much of western Yemen-have fired dozens of missiles towards Israel in recent months, claiming it is an act of solidarity with Gaza.

In early May, one such missile reportedly evaded Israeli defences and landed near Ben Gurion International Airport, causing major disruptions to air traffic.

The Houthis form part of Iran's so-called "Axis of Resistance" against Israeli and US interests in the region, alongside Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Although Israel has dealt heavy blows to these groups by eliminating high-ranking leaders and destroying military facilities since the onset of the Gaza conflict, the Houthis continue to pose a considerable threat.

(With IANS inputs)