A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli air strike in Sanaa. Reuters
A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli air strike in Sanaa. Reuters
A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli air strike in Sanaa. Reuters
A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli air strike in Sanaa. Reuters

Who are the Houthi leaders on Israel's hit list?


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Israel's military targeted the Houthi defence minister and military chief of staff in air strikes on Yemen on Thursday, Israeli army radio said.

The military is awaiting confirmation of the outcome of the strikes on Sanaa, the rebel-held capital, it said on Friday.

Leaders of the Iran-backed militia dismissed the strikes as “failures”, after reports that the Israeli attacks targeted a gathering of top officials in Yemen's capital and killed two.

Chairman of the Houthis' supreme political council Mahdi Al Mashat called the reports that the defence minister and the military chief of staff were killed “fake news”, saying the strikes were “failures and will remain failures, and our long arm will teach them the necessary lesson”, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported.

Both officials, as well as others also listed below, are likely to feature high on Israel's hit list of Houthi targets.

Mohammed Abdulsalam

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam 'plays a key role managing the Houthis' financing network', says the US. Reuters
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam 'plays a key role managing the Houthis' financing network', says the US. Reuters

As the main spokesman for the Houthis, Mohammed Abdulsalam is one of the group's most prominent figures and chairs the board of the rebel-affiliated Al Masirah Media Network. Mr Abdulsalam “played a key role in managing the Houthis' internal and external financing network”, according to the US Treasury, and has visited Moscow to secure Russian weaponry and support. He also met Russian Foreign Ministry and military officials to arrange further visits by Houthi delegations, it said.

Mahdi Al Mashat

Houthi supreme political council chairman Mahdi Al Mashat has built ties with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Reuters
Houthi supreme political council chairman Mahdi Al Mashat has built ties with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Reuters

Mahdi Al Mashat is chairman of the supreme political council in the rebel-held capital Sanaa, which serves as the executive branch of the Houthi-led administration. He is responsible for issuing official statements regarding the Houthis' military positions and diplomatic ties. He, too, has worked on building ties between the Houthis and Russia's government, specifically with President Vladimir Putin, according to the US Treasury.

Mohammed Ali Al Houthi

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Ali Al Houthi has pledged safe passage to Russian vessels in the Red Sea. AFP
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Ali Al Houthi has pledged safe passage to Russian vessels in the Red Sea. AFP

Mohammed Ali Al Houthi is a member of the council and served as chairman of its precursor, the supreme revolutionary committee. As a spokesman of the Houthis, Mr Al Houthi has stressed the rebels' commitment to ensuring safe passage for Russian vessels amid the group's campaign of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel's war in Gaza.

The US Treasury said Mr Al Houthi planned to visit Russia with other Houthi members to discuss details of Russian aid to the group.

The Houthis, led by Abdul-Malik Al Houthi, have repeatedly targeted merchant vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, a month after war in Gaza began.

Their attacks have disrupted global trade and prompted the US and the EU to send warships to the area. The group also launched drones and missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted. Israel's strikes on Thursday came a day after it intercepted a Houthi missile.

The US has also launched several rounds of strikes on the Houthis, including three in March when the rebels threatened to resume attacks on shipping after a lull.

Mohammad Al Ghamari

Houthi military chief of general staff Mohammad Al Ghamari survived an Israeli assassination attempt in June. Photo: SABA
Houthi military chief of general staff Mohammad Al Ghamari survived an Israeli assassination attempt in June. Photo: SABA

Houthi military chief of general staff Mohammad Al Ghamari was targeted by Israel in June but survived the attack. He is also de facto commander of the militia's Hussein Brigades.

He led the offensive against the government-held city of Marib in 2023, displacing tens of thousands of civilians, in the largest operation by the group since the capture of Sanaa in 2014, which he also participated in.

Mr Al Ghamari also oversaw the launch of ballistic missiles and drones at the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed Al Atifi

Houthi defence minister Mohammed Al Atifi has overseen attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. AFP
Houthi defence minister Mohammed Al Atifi has overseen attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. AFP

Mohammed Al Atifi became Houthi defence minister in 2016. As head of the maritime branch of the Houthi military, he has overseen attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

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Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)

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  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho

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Price, base: Dh708,750

Engine: 1.5L three-cylinder petrol, plus 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 374hp (total)

Torque: 570Nm (total)

Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

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