Houthi Militia Confirms Death of 19 Personnel Including Senior Commanders

The Houthi militia announced on Friday the funeral of 19 of its commanders and fighters across eight governorates under its control, marking the latest acknowledgment of significant human casualties incurred during recent military escalations.

The militia stated that the funeral ceremonies were held for individuals from the governorates of Saada, Hajjah, Dhamar, Hodeidah, Amran, Al-Mahwit, Sanaa, and Taiz. While the group disclosed the names and military ranks of the deceased, it provided no details regarding the locations or specific circumstances of their deaths.

The list of casualties included a brigadier general and several officers holding the ranks of colonel, first lieutenant, second lieutenant, and assistant. Among the deceased was Brigadier General Hussein Hassan Ali Al-Hatafi, who, according to Yemeni sources, served as the chief of the personal security detail for Abdulkhaliq Houthi, the brother of the militia's leader, Abdulmalik Houthi. Reports suggest Al-Hatafi was killed during drone strikes conducted by Yemeni armed forces against militia military sites.

Other notable casualties include Colonel Abdulkarim Hussein Rabou Al-Maqrani and Colonel Awad Saleh Ahmed Qatina, alongside various lieutenants and assistants. The militia continues its established policy of withholding information regarding the specific frontlines or the tactical context of these losses, consistently failing to clarify the circumstances of the operations that led to the fatalities.

This announcement coincides with a period of intensified military friction across multiple fronts. Local media reports indicate that the death toll among Houthi ranks has reached approximately 280 since the beginning of the recent escalation, with the highest concentration of casualties recorded in the governorates of Hodeidah, Taiz, Marib, Al-Jawf, Al-Dhale, and Al-Bayda.

Medical and local sources report that hospitals within Houthi-controlled territories are facing severe strain, struggling to manage the influx of casualties arriving from active combat zones. The ongoing military operations and the intensification of clashes continue to exert significant pressure on the militia's resources and personnel.