Conflicting Reports Emerge over Death of Houthi Leader’s Nephew
Arab World
Sanaa – Asharq Al-Awsat
The Iran-backed Houthi militias acknowledged on Sunday the death of Mohammed Ahmed Badreddine al-Houthi, the nephew of militias leader Abdulmalek al-Houthi. Conflicting reports have, however, emerged over how he died. Cables of condolences Houthi officials sent to Abdulmalek said that he had died of a “chronic illness”, whereas sources from the legitimate government revealed that he was killed in recent battles between the national army and militias in Sirwah west of Marib city. They did not rule out the possibility that the militias were covering up his real cause of death. Local sources in Sanaa suspected that he may have been assassinated as part of a power struggle among the Houthi family itself. The Houthi condolences spoke of how Mohammed had been active on various battlefronts, which would not have been possible if he truly suffered from a chronic illness. The deceased is the son of Ahmed Badreddine al-Houthi, also the brother of Hussein al-Houthi, the founder of the militia movement. Both were killed during the first war they waged against the state in 2004. Mohammed had rarely appeared in Houthi media, but images released after his death reveal that he was likely in his 20s. Back in August, the Houthis had acknowledged the death of Ibrahim Badreddine al-Houthi, another brother to Abdulmalek. The militias released a terse statement about his passing without revealing how, when and where he died. They accused “treasonous” hands loyal to the United States, Israel and “their pawns” of assassinating him. Many observers at the time, however, said he was likely killed in a power struggle within the Houthi family.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2242991/conflicting-reports-emerge-over-death-houthi-leader%E2%80%99s-nephew
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