Senior Houthi Leader Defects and Joins Yemen's Legitimate Government

Reliable sources have revealed that a prominent leader in the Houthi terrorist militia has defected and fled to areas controlled by Yemen's legitimate government.

Mohammed Al-Maswari, former lawyer of the late Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, confirmed in a post on the X platform that the Houthi leader has officially joined the ranks of the legitimate government. Al-Maswari stated that the leader's identity will remain confidential for now to ensure the safety of his family. He promised to reveal the name, photo, and conduct an interview with the defector once his family is secured.

This defection comes amid multiple reports of growing internal conflicts and divisions within the Houthi leadership, coinciding with preparations by the legitimate government for a decisive battle.

Such defections are seen as a clear indicator of rising tensions and fractures within the Houthi ranks, which may undermine their cohesion and ability to maintain control. It is worth noting that previous months and years have witnessed similar defections, including the January 2018 defection of approximately 200 Houthi-aligned leaders and fighters in Al-Jawf Governorate, according to media sources.