Shock in Yemen: Houthis seize the home of one of the country's top officials

The Houthis seized the home of Yemeni Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Burkani in an area south of the city of Taiz, following an exchange of fire with government forces. The takeover carries symbolic significance as a direct blow to a senior figure in the rival camp. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia denies Houthi claims of attacks on targets in Riyadh.

The Houthis seized the home of Yemeni Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Burkani in an area south of the city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen. The takeover occurred after an exchange of fire with government forces. Al-Burkani is affiliated with the Yemeni government and maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia, so the seizure of his home carries symbolic significance as a direct blow to one of the senior figures in the rival camp. Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, General Turki al-Maliki, denied Houthi claims of attacks on targets in Riyadh, calling them "misleading" and an attempt "to divert attention from the scale of losses and growing public anger" toward the Houthis. According to data published by sources affiliated with the Yemeni government, its forces have carried out hundreds of strikes against Houthi targets in recent days, including command centers, troop concentrations, weapons depots, and supply lines. The Yemeni army spokesman claimed that at least 700 Houthi fighters were killed or put out of action, but the data has not been independently verified. The confrontation around Taiz is taking place as the campaign in Yemen expands on several fronts, while Houthi attacks on Saudi territory continue.