The Yemeni government announced that Firaq Muhsin al-Assar, a prominent figure among the Houthis, was killed on the Kahbub front near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Yemen’s Deputy Minister of Information, Abdul Basit al-Qaidi, said that six of the Iran-backed Houthi commander’s bodyguards were also killed.
Al-Qaidi said the incident took place near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait in the country’s southwest. No details were provided on how the death occurred.
Asil al-Saqladi, director of the media center of the Giants Brigades affiliated with government forces, also announced that al-Assar had been killed on the Kahbub front. Al-Saqladi described al-Assar as one of the prominent Houthis in Yemen’s Ibb province and said he had previously led recruitment efforts within the group.
The Houthis issued no official statement on al-Assar’s death. Activists close to the Houthis claimed that he commanded the First Mugavir Brigade and held the rank of major general.
Clashes intensify around Bab al-Mandab
Clashes between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis have intensified in recent days on the Kahbub front, which covers mountainous areas. The front is positioned overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Government forces announced that Houthi gathering areas and vehicles had been targeted in Marib province in the country’s central region. In the northern province of Al Jawf, a Houthi unmanned aerial vehicle was reported to have been shot down.
Airstrikes were also announced at the Umm Rish military camp and the Melaa pass south of Marib.
Warnings issued for six Saudi cities
Saudi Arabia’s Directorate of Civil Defense activated the National Early Warning Platform in Jizan, Abha, Taif, Jeddah, Khamis Mushait and Yanbu following threats from the Houthis.
Authorities called on residents to remain calm and follow official instructions. Until the danger passed, citizens were asked to move to safe areas inside buildings away from windows and not to leave their homes or the buildings where they were located. The Directorate of Civil Defense announced shortly afterward that the danger had passed.
Front lines become active again in Yemen war
Clashes between government forces and the Houthis in Yemen have intensified again since the beginning of July 2026 on several fronts, including those in the provinces of Marib, Al Jawf, Taiz, Lahij and Al Bayda.
The clashes began after the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and parts of several provinces in September 2014. The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in March 2015 to support Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
