On a tense October morning in 2025, the front lines of Yemen’s ongoing conflict saw a high-profile visitor: Major General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. His arrival at the Jannat al-Thawra front in the embattled Taiz region was more than a symbolic gesture. According to reports from Defa Press and Eqtesad News, Pakpour’s visit was a clear sign of Iran’s deepening support for the Yemeni popular resistance, particularly in the wake of a devastating Israeli airstrike that killed one of Yemen’s most prominent military leaders.
Packed with military significance and political symbolism, Pakpour’s journey began with meetings alongside commanders and fighters not only from Yemen but also from Iran and Afghanistan. The setting was charged: the Jannat al-Thawra front has long been a focal point of resistance against external aggression. There, Pakpour personally inspected defensive positions, scrutinized military equipment, and reviewed the missile and rocket capabilities of the Yemeni popular resistance. As Defa Press noted, his presence was a testament to the strategic ties binding Tehran and the Houthi-led resistance in Yemen.
The context for Pakpour’s visit was somber. Just days earlier, an Israeli airstrike had claimed the life of Major General Mohammad Abdulkarim al-Ghamari, the former Chief of Staff of Yemen’s armed forces and a revered figure in the Houthi movement. The attack, labeled by Iranian and Yemeni officials as a "criminal assault" by the "malicious Zionist regime," sent shockwaves through the region. In a message addressed to Brigadier General Yusuf Hassan al-Madani, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of Yemen’s armed forces, Pakpour expressed both condolences and congratulations. His words, quoted by Defa Press, resonated deeply: "The proud martyrdom of the great Islamic commander, Major General Mohammad Abdulkarim al-Ghamari, and his loyal companions in the criminal attack by the terrorist and malicious Zionist regime, is both a loss and a badge of honor for the resilient Yemeni nation, the esteemed families of the martyrs, the Yemeni armed forces, and the proud Islamic resistance front."
Pakpour’s message went further, highlighting the enduring legacy of al-Ghamari’s struggle. He praised the late general’s "lasting jihad in defense of Yemen’s dignity and territorial integrity" and his "victorious confrontation against the crimes of the Zionist enemy." According to Pakpour, these efforts would be "recorded forever in the annals of Yemeni fighters." He stressed that the blessings of al-Ghamari’s leadership and sacred struggle would "never be lost."
But the message was not solely one of mourning. Pakpour also congratulated al-Madani on his appointment as the new Chief of Staff, expressing confidence that his leadership would "herald the continuation of the proud path of Martyr al-Ghamari and strengthen the resistance front against the enemies of the Islamic Ummah." In a pointed declaration of support, Pakpour stated, "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while renewing its allegiance to the lofty ideals of the martyrs of the resistance front and the liberation of holy Quds, declares its full readiness to strengthen the spiritual and strategic bonds with the Yemeni armed forces in confronting global arrogance and international Zionism." This, as reported by Eqtesad News, underscored Iran’s ongoing commitment to the Yemeni cause and its opposition to both Israel and Western influence in the region.
During his visit to the front lines, Pakpour did more than offer words. He inspected the resistance’s defensive positions firsthand, reviewed their missile and rocket arsenals, and engaged directly with fighters. According to Defa Press, he "emphasized the importance of the resistance’s defensive and offensive capabilities and praised the efforts of the Yemeni fighters." These inspections were not merely ceremonial; they demonstrated Iran’s interest in the operational readiness of its allies and its willingness to provide guidance and, potentially, material support.
Pakpour’s visit was widely covered in Iranian and Yemeni media, with reports highlighting his discussions with commanders and fighters from Yemen, Iran, and Afghanistan. The presence of these multinational groups at the Jannat al-Thawra front signaled the broad coalition backing the Yemeni resistance. As Defa Press reported, Pakpour’s inspection included a thorough review of the resistance’s military equipment, with particular attention paid to their missile and rocket capabilities. This focus reflects the evolving nature of the conflict, where advanced weaponry and tactical innovation have become central to the resistance’s strategy.
The timing of Pakpour’s visit was notable. Coming so soon after the death of al-Ghamari, it served as both a morale booster for the Yemeni fighters and a signal to adversaries that Iran remained firmly committed to the resistance front. In his message to al-Madani, Pakpour alluded to the resilience of the Yemeni people, stating, "These martyrdoms will only strengthen Yemen’s resolve and determination in confronting the sworn enemies of the Islamic Ummah and in continuing the struggle to defend the oppressed, especially the people of Palestine and besieged Gaza."
The broader geopolitical implications of Pakpour’s visit and message did not go unnoticed. By reaffirming Iran’s "full readiness to strengthen the spiritual and strategic bonds" with the Yemeni armed forces, Tehran sent a clear message to both its allies and adversaries. The support for the Houthi movement, which has long been a point of contention in regional politics, was made explicit. As Eqtesad News put it, the IRGC’s statement was a renewal of its "commitment to the lofty ideals of the martyrs of the resistance front and the liberation of holy Quds."
Pakpour’s words also touched on the broader resistance movement, linking the struggles of the Yemeni fighters to those of Palestinians in Gaza and others facing what Iran calls "global arrogance and international Zionism." This rhetoric has been a hallmark of Iran’s foreign policy, particularly in its support for non-state actors across the Middle East. The message to al-Madani concluded with Pakpour expressing his "sincere congratulations and well wishes for your increasing success, dignity, health, and victory in this critical post."
As the dust settled on the Jannat al-Thawra front, Pakpour’s visit and message left a lasting impact. The combination of military inspection, strategic coordination, and heartfelt condolences and congratulations underscored the multifaceted nature of Iran’s involvement in Yemen. For the fighters on the ground, the presence of a high-ranking Iranian commander was both a source of encouragement and a reminder of the international dimensions of their struggle.
In a region fraught with shifting alliances and relentless violence, the events of October 2025 offered a glimpse into the enduring ties between Iran and the Yemeni resistance. Pakpour’s visit, his message to al-Madani, and the public reaffirmation of support for the Houthi movement all pointed to a conflict that is, at its core, both local and deeply international. As new leaders emerge and the battle lines continue to shift, the legacy of figures like al-Ghamari—and the alliances they forged—will undoubtedly shape Yemen’s future for years to come.
