Coalition Forces Kill ISIS Spokesman in Yemen Raid

The Government of Yemen and special forces from the Saudi-led coalition killed Abu Hudhayfah al-Ansari, the official spokesman for the Islamic State, during a joint counterterrorism operation in Seiyun. The raid took place in the al-Hawta neighborhood of Hadramout province, where forces targeted a residential mud-brick house. While the operation initially sought to capture al-Ansari, also identified as Mithaq Thabet Haitham al-Hujaili, he died from injuries sustained during the mission.

Supported by drone surveillance and the Yemeni counter-terrorism unit Force 22, security forces rescued two women and five children from the home. Another man was injured and arrested after resisting the raid. Forces recovered a laptop, five mobile phones, and an explosives belt, which was detonated on-site to ensure civilian safety. The operation followed intelligence sharing between the Yemeni State Security Service and the coalition joint command.

This strike comes as ISIS has shifted to small-cell operations after losing territorial control in Yemen. In a separate development, the Yemeni government reported that its naval forces intercepted four explosive-laden boats operated by the Houthi group. The vessels were attempting to approach the strategic Hanish and Zuqar islands near international shipping lanes in the Red Sea.