🔸Yemeni government forces reported on Tuesday, 17 Shahrivar, that one of the senior Houthi commanders had been taken captive during a clash in the governorate of Taiz.

🔸Military sources identified the Houthi commander as Abu Ali al-Ajani, head of the intelligence and reconnaissance organization of Ansarallah, who was taken captive in a heavy clash in Taiz in the southwestern part of Yemen.

🔸This important Houthi figure, who does not fit within the leadership cadre of the Houthis despite his military position, has been detained along with nine other people.

🔸Heavy clashes in Taiz have been ongoing since last Thursday and have left many casualties.

🔸Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, referring to the Houthi role as a proxy for the Islamic Republic, said he believes that “Iran’s hand is hidden behind many of the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.”

🔸The U.S. foreign minister, emphasizing his country’s defense ties with Saudi Arabia, said that Washington is closely monitoring developments in Yemen.