The Houthis-held DEfense Ministry released on Thursday a statement naming Abdullah Yahia al Hakem, aka Abu Ali Hakem, as the commander of the fourth military zone.

Hakim is considered to be second in command below Abdulmalik al Houthi.

Hakim, who led Houthis' incursion into Sanaa in September, is blacklisted by the UN Security Council.

There were many reports on his injury and death during clashes with Yemeni forces backed by the Saudi Arabia-led Arab coalition but they all turned to be groundless.

Sources: MENA