Israel carries out airstrike targeting Houthi chief of staff in Yemen
- An airstrike in Sanaa targeted Muhammad al-Ghamari, the military chief of the Iranian-backed Houthi organization.
- Witnesses reported seeing casualties following the attack, despite Houthi officials denying injury or targeted status.
- The ongoing conflict illustrates the complex dynamics of regional proxy warfare and misinformation.
On June 14, 2025, in Yemen's capital Sanaa, the Israel Defense Forces executed a significant airstrike believed to target Muhammad al-Ghamari, the military chief of the Iranian-backed Houthi organization. Reports indicated that at the time of the operation, he was accompanied by other Houthi leaders during a meeting. Some early sources speculated that al-Ghamari might have been wounded or even killed in the attack, although the Israeli military has not confirmed these claims as attacks and retaliation tactics unfold in the region. The airstrike's timing coincided with a period of escalated tensions, marked by the Houthis' intensified missile attacks on Israel, including a recent hit on civilian areas and threats against Israel's strategic sites. The operational reach of the Israeli Air Force in this strike illustrating Israel's capability to conduct military operations deep into enemy territory, over 2,000 kilometers from Israel, exemplifies its evolving military posture and strategic interests in countering threats from Iranian proxies. Following the attack, Houthi officials rejected claims regarding al-Ghamari's injury, labeling the reports as disinformation aimed at diverting attention from Iranian military actions impacting Israel. Nevertheless, eyewitness accounts reported chaos at the bombing site, with at least 10 casualties emerging in the aftermath of the airstrike. Such conflicting narratives regarding the fate of key military leaders have become typical in this prolonged conflict, characterized by misinformation and propaganda from both sides. The attack, part of a broader operation dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion,' underscores the critical role of Iranian support in Houthi operations and emphasizes the ongoing proxy nature of this conflict, where regional powers engage through local factions. With no clear updates from the Israeli military as to the full impact of the strike, the situation continues to unfold, and the fates of targeted individuals remain shrouded in ambiguity.