Sana'a -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has disclosed new details about the late commander Haitham Ali Tabtabai, who was killed in a recent Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs. 

In a televised speech, Qassem described Tabtabai as a “great jihadist leader” and revealed that he had spent nine years in Yemen, where he was responsible for training and preparing Houthi-affiliated forces.

According to Qassem, Tabtabai’s mission in Yemen was part of Hezbollah’s broader regional strategy to support allied groups and strengthen their military capabilities. 

During his time there, Tabtabai reportedly oversaw the organization, training, and arming of Houthi units, contributing to the group’s battlefield resilience in the ongoing Yemeni conflict.

The announcement sheds light on Hezbollah’s deep involvement in Yemen, highlighting the extent of cooperation between the Lebanese group and the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. 

Analysts say Tabtabai’s role underscores the transnational nature of Hezbollah’s operations, linking Lebanon’s militia directly to conflicts in the Arabian Peninsula.

Tabtabai was killed on November 23, 2025, in an Israeli strike that targeted senior Hezbollah figures. 

His death has been described by Hezbollah as a “heinous crime” and a “blatant aggression”, with Qassem vowing that the group has the right to respond at a time of its choosing.

The revelation of Tabtabai’s years in Yemen is expected to intensify scrutiny of Hezbollah’s regional activities and further highlight the military cooperation between Hezbollah and the Houthis, which has long been alleged by Western and regional intelligence agencies.