Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for Yemen’s Houthi forces, has become a central figure in the region’s ongoing conflicts. Known for his televised statements and video announcements, Saree plays a crucial role in communicating the strategic actions and ideological views of the Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah.
Holding the rank of Brigadier General, Yahya Saree regularly delivers official updates on behalf of the Houthis. His role is not only military but also deeply political. He speaks for the group in matters of national defense, regional attacks, and operations tied to broader geopolitical goals. Saree has been the main source of information for the international community regarding Houthi operations, especially missile and drone attacks that have extended well beyond Yemen’s borders.
Since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen in 2015, Saree has been a key voice in the Houthis’ information war. He often appears on Al-Masirah TV, the group’s main media outlet, wearing military uniform and reading statements about ongoing or future attacks. These often include footage of missile launches, surveillance drones, or the aftermath of strikes. Saree’s speeches regularly include the group’s ideological slogans, such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” aligning the Houthis with the broader Iran-backed axis of resistance in the Middle East.
One of Saree’s most high-profile announcements came in 2019 when he claimed responsibility for a major drone and missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil facilities. The assault caused a temporary halt in Saudi oil production and drew global attention to the capabilities of the Houthi arsenal. Saree declared the attack a response to Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen, reinforcing the Houthi stance that their military operations are retaliatory in nature.
In early 2022, Saree made headlines again after claiming responsibility for drone and missile attacks on targets in the United Arab Emirates. These strikes marked an expansion of the conflict and underscored the regional impact of the Yemen war. Saree insisted the attacks would continue unless the UAE withdrew its involvement from Yemeni territory.
More recently, Yahya Saree has been the primary voice behind a new wave of maritime attacks in the Red Sea. Since late 2023, the Houthis have targeted commercial ships, particularly those believed to be connected to Israel, the United States, or their allies. The attacks, according to Saree, are in support of Palestinians in Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The Houthi leadership briefly paused these attacks during a ceasefire, but resumed them following U.S. airstrikes earlier in 2024.
In July 2025, Saree appeared in a video claiming responsibility for the deadly assault on the cargo ship Eternity C, which was attacked using drones, RPGs, and bomb-filled boats. The incident resulted in at least three deaths and left 19 crew members missing. Saree described the attack as part of a broader campaign against what the group sees as aggression by Israel and its allies. The video showed the ship leaking oil and taking on water before it sank, highlighting the potential environmental damage caused by such operations.
While not currently named on major international sanctions lists, Saree is considered part of a leadership structure that includes individuals sanctioned by the United Nations, European Union, and the United States. These sanctions have cited human rights abuses, interference with humanitarian aid, and violations of international law. Saree’s statements are often used to justify actions that have caused civilian casualties or disrupted global shipping routes.
Despite criticism, Yahya Saree continues to be the Houthis’ most visible and vocal military representative. His role as the public face of the group’s armed campaign ensures his ongoing influence in both regional conflict narratives and international media coverage.
