Houthi Leadership Goes Underground Amid Deadly Israeli-American Strikes in Yemen
Following a series of targeted assassinations of senior Houthi leaders in Yemen, driven by Israeli and American intelligence, the Houthi leadership has abandoned their official offices and moved into secret underground hideouts. They have imposed a total ban on mobile phone use and launched an aggressive campaign to hunt suspected spies. The ground beneath the Iranian proxy's leadership in Yemen is metaphorically burning, with fear spreading through the dark corridors of Sanaa. A deadly wave of precise airstrikes in September 2025 eliminated around 12 top Houthi officials, including the regime's "prime minister," plunging the organization into an intelligence shock and mass retreat underground.
The Houthi terror group has responded with strict emergency protocols: ministers and senior officials immediately left their homes and government offices for unregistered safe houses, a complete ban on smartphones and GPS-enabled devices was enforced to prevent military tracking, and all large meetings were canceled in favor of encrypted messages delivered by human couriers. The organization also began concealing reports of commander assassinations to avoid giving intelligence clues to enemies and to maintain morale. Internal security forces launched widespread arrests in Sanaa and Al Hudaydah targeting civilians suspected of collaborating with Israel, the US, or Saudi Arabia. Senior figures were ordered to abandon armored convoys and travel only in unmarked civilian vehicles.
In Iran, the Supreme National Security Council unexpectedly advised residents to temporarily leave Tehran, signaling a loss of control amid the escalating crisis. Authorities converted key roads to one-way exits and disrupted internet services, urging the deletion of messaging apps like WhatsApp over fears of espionage and leaks. This reflects deep concern over exposing the full extent of the turmoil to the outside world.
Concurrently, the United States has deployed advanced F-16CJ Block 50 fighter jets from Central Europe to the Persian Gulf region. These aircraft are equipped with specialized systems designed exclusively to destroy radars and air defense batteries, aiming to establish a deep air corridor into Iranian territory. This escalation underscores the intensifying military pressure on Iran and its proxies in Yemen.
