Houthi Interior Minister Abd al-Karim Amir al-Din al-Houthi has been hospitalized in recent months following IDF strikes, according to the Yemeni news site Defense Line.
According to two security sources, the minister, who is also the uncle of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, was wounded in Israeli attacks, and the terror organization has been trying to maintain complete secrecy about his condition.
Video: IDF strikes targets in Saana, Yemen. Credit: Arab media
Additionally, the sources reported that the senior Houthi official's health condition has been deteriorating, and he has undergone more than one complex surgery. The Yemeni site, which opposes the Houthis, noted that since Operation Drop of Luck, in which the Houthi prime minister and nine ministers were killed at the end of August, the interior minister has not appeared publicly. His last public appearance was on August 17 when he led a security meeting at his ministry headquarters to discuss preparations for "Prophet's Birthday" events.
Currently, Houthi Deputy Interior Minister Abd al-Majid al-Murtada is responsible for managing the ministry and has been active at various events. During Israeli strikes last summer, the "Houthi Chief of Staff" Abd al-Karim al-Rhamari was killed. For weeks, the terror organization concealed his death before acknowledging it. Youssef al-Madani was appointed in al-Rhamari's place. According to foreign reports, Iran also sent the official responsible for the Yemen portfolio in the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards to assist the Houthis.
Last month, sources in Yemen reported that the terror organization's "defense minister," Mohammed Nasser al-Atifi, was also wounded in the Israeli strike last August. According to the sources, al-Atifi was hospitalized at one of the hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Houthis published a condolence message to Hezbollah in recent days following the killing of senior organization official Haytham Ali Tabatabai. In a letter sent by organization leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, it was written that he "relies on Hezbollah and its ability to overcome difficulties." He also called for "conscious and responsible action to confront the enemy and expose all attempts to lull the nation regarding Israel."
Tabatabai previously commanded Hezbollah's special forces in Yemen. In this capacity, he assisted the Houthis during the civil war. According to foreign reports, Hezbollah has advised the Houthis over the years on various matters. In this sense, Tabatabai's death was another blow to the Houthis after the killing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
