Al-Fassel | 2025-11-24

A grip on Houthi leadership

Abdul Reza Shahlaei, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF), returned to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

His return signals Tehran’s direct involvement in resolving Houthi leadership turmoil.

Despite the group's claim of being a grassroots movement, evidence points to Tehran’s heavy-handed influence in shaping their operations and strategy.

Its leadership has long been a disposable tool for carrying out Iran’s nefarious regional ambitions.

The Houthis are grappling with significant internal challenges, including a leadership void and pressing security failures.

Several senior Houthi military commanders have defected.

Among them is Brig. Gen. Salah al-Salahi, the commander of the 'Tenth Sammad Brigade.'

Additionally, the recent death of Houthi Chief of Staff Muhammad al-Ghamari has left the group in further disarray.

Yemeni analysts describe this situation as a 'crisis of options and priorities.'

It is further exacerbated by the group's lack of coherent leadership and the growing anti-Houthi sentiments among Yemenis.

Leadership chaos

Military analyst Brigadier General Mohammed al-Kumaim said that Iran deployed Shahlaei to Yemen to oversee the Houthis' security and military affairs.

He emphasized that the move is not temporary but a pivotal moment highlighting the group's internal collapse.

Al-Kumaim further explained, "Shahlaei's presence in the Yemeni capital indicates that decision-making has shifted from the Houthis and is now directly controlled by the IRGC."

He also pointed out that the Houthi leadership has demonstrated its inability to maintain security, govern society, or even sustain its internal cohesion.

Other reports suggest that the IRGC’s top-level involvement is a direct response to setbacks faced by its regional proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

The actions of the Houthis in Yemen clearly reflect Iran’s strategic ambitions, with Tehran exerting significant influence over their leadership and operations.

By prioritizing Iran’s geopolitical agenda, the Houthis perpetuate conflict, destabilize the region, and deepen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.

Their alignment with Iranian interests undermines peace efforts and exacerbates the suffering of millions of Yemenis in desperate need of aid.

This dangerous alliance highlights how Iran uses the Houthis as proxies to expand its influence, disregarding the devastating

Exposing this connection is crucial to addressing Yemen’s root causes of turmoil and vital for paving the way toward stability and recovery.