Houthi Militia Arrests Security Leader on Treason Charges Amid Internal Strife

The Houthi militia has reportedly arrested one of its senior security officials in Hajjah province, identified as "Abu Ghazzah," on charges of treason. The arrest, carried out by the militia's police intelligence agency, has intensified internal disputes within the Iran-backed group and is seen as a move to consolidate power by one faction.

The apprehension of Abu Ghazzah, who held a sensitive position within the preventative security apparatus, occurred amid rising tensions between Houthi leadership factions. Sources indicate a power struggle is underway, with the faction aligned with the stronghold of Saada province, the base of militia leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, seeking to tighten its grip on security and military decision-making. This effort aims to diminish the influence of leaders from other provinces.

The arrest follows accusations of insufficient loyalty and coordination with leaders not belonging to the inner circle surrounding the group's leadership in Saada. The establishment of a new police intelligence agency, reportedly by Ali Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi, has further fueled suspicions and contributed to the factionalism, as it appears designed to assert dominance amidst distrust among various wings of the militia.

These developments highlight a deepening internal conflict within the Houthi structure. Over recent years, multiple factions have vied for influence in military, security, and economic sectors. The Saada faction is actively working to strengthen its control over critical institutions, while the influence of leaders associated with provincial administration or field operations appears to be waning.

Military and security analysts suggest that frequent arrests within the militia's ranks reflect a pervasive lack of trust among its leadership. Accusations of infiltration, dereliction of duty, or bypassing command structures are reportedly being used by the leadership to reposition power centers and sideline individuals perceived as rivals.

The Houthi militia has recently implemented a series of arrests and purges of its officials and members, described by internal sources as a security restructuring aimed at reinforcing control over its institutions and preventing the emergence of independent power bases. These actions coincide with increasing military and political pressures on the militia, prompting its leadership to tighten security measures in controlled territories and raising concerns about the widening rifts among its competing factions.