Houthis Release Relatives of Martyr Sheikh Saleh Hantous After Ten Months of Detention

Release of Relatives After Extended Detention

On Tuesday, the Houthi militia announced the release of several relatives of martyr Sheikh Saleh Hantous, who had been held in captivity for nearly ten months. This development follows the assassination of Sheikh Hantous and the severe siege imposed on his residence in the Al-Salfiyah district of Al-Raimah Governorate, as confirmed by local sources.

Background of the Kidnapping and Assassination

The relatives of Sheikh Hantous were detained following his assassination in July 2025. Despite the militia’s attempts to exert pressure on the family, their tactics ultimately failed, culminating in the recent release. The events leading to their detention date back to early July 2025, when the militia initiated a military campaign in Al-Salfiyah aimed at Sheikh Hantous, a respected Quran teacher. This assault was prompted by his refusal to teach sectarian curricula promoted by the militia in his mosque.

Violations and Direct Orders

During the assault, Sheikh Hantous was assassinated in front of his family, and his wife, Fatima Ghaleb Al-Masouri, sustained injuries due to the militia’s heavy weaponry attack on their home. In addition, the militia closed the Al-Ridwan Quranic School and the mosque in Al-Bayda village prior to the assassination, leading to widespread local and international condemnation.

Sources indicate that the assassination was executed under direct orders from militia leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, who explicitly instructed the elimination of Sheikh Hantous and sought to prevent any tribal mediation that could impede the operation. This directive underscores a systematic targeting of religious scholars and community leaders by the militia.

The assassination of Sheikh Saleh Hantous has drawn renewed attention to the physical eliminations conducted by the militia against figures who oppose their agenda. This troubling situation unfolds amid a concerning international silence regarding the daily atrocities faced by civilians in areas under militia control.