Saudi Arabia achieves first success: Houthis lose a general
Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, eliminated a senior Houthi commander, Major General Farak Mohsen al-Assar, near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The strike followed a three-hour battle in which the Houthis attempted an offensive but suffered losses. This success is significant for the security of international shipping.
Yemeni government forces, with Saudi support, achieved a significant success against the Houthis near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. An airstrike killed a senior Houthi commander, Major General Farak Mohsen al-Assar, also known as Abu Sakr al-Kafar, along with six of his companions. The strike occurred after a three-hour battle on September 18, when the Houthis attempted an offensive in the Kahbub area but were repelled. Yemeni military reported destroying four enemy vehicles. Al-Arabiya TV and Yemeni outlet Al-Masdar Online reported the commander's death, but there was no official confirmation from the Houthis. The Kahbub area is strategically important due to its proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key waterway for ships traveling between the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal. Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and this success is important for its interests, although direct Saudi involvement in the strike was not confirmed. Control over the strait is crucial for international shipping security, as the Houthis have repeatedly attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea.