Houthis claim capture of residence of Yemen presidential council head in Taiz
Version 2: New reporting adds that Rashad al-Alimi announced an operation on 5 October to retake the Red Sea coast and Sanaa, that Saudi Arabia struck Houthi-held areas that morning, and that the Houthis warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace.
In short
The Houthis said they took control of the Al-Mawasit district in Taiz, south-western Yemen, and captured the residence of Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, according to RBC and Kommersant, both citing the Yemen Press Agency. RIA Novosti reported the same claim in a headline without naming the official. The documents do not say whether the claim has been independently verified, and RBC and Kommersant differ on whether the district is in Taiz province or Taiz city.
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The Houthis said they took control of the Al-Mawasit district in Taiz, south-western Yemen, and captured the residence of Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, according to RBC and Kommersant, which both cited the Yemen Press Agency. Kommersant, which named the group as Ansar Allah, said the agency attributed the account to a source. RIA Novosti reported the same claim in a headline, saying the Houthis had captured the home of Yemen’s head in the south-west without naming him. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant reported that on 5 October Al-Alimi announced the start of an operation to liberate the Red Sea coast seized by the Houthis, with the forces of the internationally recognised government also aiming to return the capital Sanaa to their control. Saudi Arabia carried out massed strikes that morning on areas where Houthi forces are stationed, it reported. The Houthis responded by calling on airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, saying the sky was unsafe and would become a “theatre of military operations,” according to Kommersant. [ 3 ]
Kommersant said the claimed capture of Al-Mawasit mattered primarily as an episode in the contest for Taiz province. It said Taiz was described in September 2026 as territory separating north Yemen under Houthi control from the south, where internationally recognised authorities operate, and that control of the coastal province passing to the Houthis would allow the group to strengthen a maritime blockade of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and create a bridgehead for an offensive on Aden. Government troops had sent reinforcements there as of 3 October 2026, with the stated aim of pushing Ansar Allah out of western regions including areas near the strait, Kommersant said. [ 3 ]
The documents did not say whether the Houthi claim had been independently verified, where Al-Alimi was at the time, whether anyone was in the building, or give details of casualties. RBC placed Al-Mawasit in Taiz province, while Kommersant placed the district in the city of Taiz. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The claim concerns the residence of the head of Yemen’s internationally recognised Presidential Leadership Council and a district in Taiz, an area the reports describe as separating Houthi-controlled north Yemen from the south. Kommersant said control of the coastal province would strengthen a Houthi maritime blockade of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and create a bridgehead for an offensive on Aden, though the documents do not confirm that the claim is true.
Key facts
- The Houthis said they established control over the Al-Mawasit district in Taiz, south-western Yemen. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Houthis said they captured the home or residence of Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council. [ 2 , 3 ]
- RBC and Kommersant attributed the claim to the Yemen Press Agency; Kommersant said the agency cited a source. [ 2 , 3 ]
- RIA Novosti reported the Houthis’ claim to have captured the home of Yemen’s head in the south-west, without naming him. [ 1 ]
- On 5 October Rashad al-Alimi announced the start of an operation to liberate the Red Sea coast from the Houthis, and government troops aimed to return the capital Sanaa to their control, Kommersant reported. [ 3 ]
- Saudi Arabia carried out massed strikes on the morning of 5 October on areas where Houthi forces are stationed, Kommersant reported. [ 3 ]
- The Houthis called on airlines to avoid Saudi airspace, saying it was unsafe and would become a “theatre of military operations,” Kommersant reported. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the Houthi claim has been independently verified. Both documents report it as an assertion by the Houthis; neither says any other party confirmed it.
- Whether Al-Mawasit lies in Taiz province or in Taiz city. RBC places the district in Taiz province, while Kommersant says the district is in the city of Taiz.
- The whereabouts of Rashad al-Alimi and whether anyone was in the building at the time. None of the documents says where he was or whether the residence was occupied.
- Details of casualties or fighting in the area. The documents report no casualties, clashes or other operational details.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti publishes its headline on the Houthi claim to have captured the home of Yemen’s head in the south-west. [ 1 ]
- RBC publishes its report naming Rashad al-Alimi and the Al-Mawasit district in Taiz province, citing the Yemen Press Agency. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant publishes its report adding the 5 October government operation, Saudi strikes and the Houthi call for airlines to avoid Saudi airspace. [ 3 ]