Ali Qasim Hussein Al-Yafi, the Houthi-appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism, was reportedly killed in Israeli raids last Thursday in Sanaa, according to multiple sources. This development has cast doubt on initial Houthi denials regarding the strike's impact on senior leadership. Sources cited by YeMonitor and Defenseliney confirmed Al-Yafi's death, with YeMonitor specifying the timing as "last Thursday." The reports suggest that the Israeli attack targeted Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital. The Houthi government, which is not recognized by Israel, has not officially commented on Al-Yafi's reported death. The incident has raised questions about the credibility of the Houthi administration. BashaReport, referencing a statement from the Ministry of Defense, noted that the Houthis initially denied any senior leadership casualties. This denial, reportedly copied from a Houthi propagandist, has been criticized by Houthi opponents, who claim it has damaged the movement's long-standing image of reliability. Further reports from Yemeni sources associated with Houthi opponents indicate that the Houthi Minister of Defense, Muhammad al-Datafi, was seriously injured in the same Israeli attack in Sanaa. However, no other sources have corroborated the injury to al-Datafi, and a written message on his behalf was issued by the Houthis on the night of the reports.
