Yemeni military sources revealed on Tuesday that penetration within the ranks of the Houthi command had facilitated the killing of Saleh al-Sammad, head of the rebel militia’s so-called Supreme Political Council, after an Arab Coalition raid.
A spokesman for pro-government forces, Brigadier Abdo Majli, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Coalition airstrike was the result of an accurate intelligence operation and a breach in the ranks of the Houthi command.
Majli asserted that the killing of Sammad has dealt a painful blow to the Houthis.
On Monday, the Iran-backed militias confirmed the death of head of their coup council in a Coalition strike last Thursday, saying Mahdi al-Mshat was appointed as his successor.
“Houthis should now be convinced that their intelligence apparatus was breached and that the Coalition and the Yemeni National Army are able to track their militia leaders anywhere they go,” he said.
For his part, official Yemeni government spokesman Rajeh Badi said Houthis had procrastinated in confirming Sammad’s death due to disputes over a successor.
The spokesperson added that the militias’ command remains fearful over the fate of other Houthi officials after the killing of the second most wanted figure on a list released by the Arab Coalition.
Observers say the rebel group is suffering from internal divisions and a decline in popularity among Yemenis.
Meanwhile, sources told Asharq Al-Awsast that Houthis increased the deployment of their gunmen in Sana’a neighborhoods on Tuesday.
The sources added that the insurgents took extra security measures in the streets of the Yemeni capital by erecting hundreds of checkpoints and searching passers-by.
