Sanaa-Based Defense Ministry to Replace Intelligence and Military Officials Amid Preparation for Escalation

The Sanaa-based Ministry of Defense is working to introduce changes in various military units. The senior military leadership of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group held a meeting in the Office of the Chief of Staff in the Al-Ardi Complex in Sanaa, reviewing the names that will be appointed in the military and intelligence departments, informed sources said.

The military changes come at a time when the group is preparing to launch attacks on pro-government Yemeni forces on the West Coast, Taiz, Al-Dhale, Marib, and Shabwah amid an escalation of its naval attack on American-British ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Houthis say their operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 30000 people since October last year.

Sources said there was a reappointment of former military leaders, with disagreements occurring within the meeting due to the nomination of figures with family ties to the Hashemites without regard to professional hierarchy.

There are also major differences over the disbursement of the military leadership's dues. While the Director of Officers Affairs, Abdul Rahman Al-Ghamari, approved the disbursement of the military leadership's salaries, the director of the Houthi military treasury, Abu Malek, opposed such a move, saying that only "individuals stationed on the battle fronts" should receive their salaries.

Meanwhile, the Houthi group deployed special forces on the coast of Al-Hudaydah as it anticipated the US-led multinational coalition in the Red Sea to airdrop forces in Al-Hudaydah. The group also deployed missile launch bases in different coastal locations.

Local sources also said that the brother of the Houthi leader and the commander of the central military region, Abdul Khaleq Al-Houthi, carried out a secret visit to areas around Marib, accompanied by a leader called Muhammad Abu Mahdi, who is the commander of special forces called commandos.

The two leaders set up defensive systems in the heights of the Hailan Mountains surrounding Marib and implemented military preparations in the Beit Dahra and Sirwah camps and outskirts of the Jadaan district of Marib in preparation for military operations in Marib.

Moreover, according to the sources, the group has deployed missile platforms in the Afar area in Al-Bayda, and military equipment along the road between Mansam in Al-Bayda and Al-Jawbah is in Marib.

Observers say that the Houthis are currently focusing on controlling the areas of Harib in Marib and Bayhan in Shabwah to ensure control over the gas and oil areas between the Safer fields in Marib and the gas ports of Balhaf and Bir Ali oil in Shabwah.