In what many see as a calculated affront to the symbols of Yemen’s republican identity, the Houthi militia has abducted Imran Mohammed Mahmoud al-Zubayri, the son of the iconic revolutionary poet and leader of the September 26 Revolution, from his residence in the capital, Sana’a.

The abduction comes just days after the controversial decision by the Houthis to rename the prominent al-Zubayri Street in Sana’a to "Ismail Haniyeh Street," after the Hamas political leader — a move that sparked widespread outrage across the Yemeni public.

According to security sources, armed Houthi fighters stormed the Zubayri family home and detained Imran following a fabricated complaint filed by an influential Houthi figure. Despite his previous appearances in pro-Houthi media declaring support for the group — likely under duress — Imran was not spared.

A Broader Campaign to Erase Republican Icons

Political observers and activists interpret the move as part of a systematic campaign to undermine the legacy of the Yemeni Republic and its founding figures. The Zubayri family holds a revered place in Yemen’s modern history, symbolizing the intellectual and political struggle against theocratic rule.

The abduction is being viewed as an attempt to rewrite history and suppress any remembrance of the republican ideals that stand in opposition to the Houthis' sectarian ideology.

Calls for International Response

Human rights activists are calling for the immediate release of Imran al-Zubayri, urging the United Nations and international human rights organizations to hold the Houthis accountable for their repressive tactics and arbitrary detentions in territories under their control.