Houthis Announce Prime Minister’s Death in Alleged Israeli Attack
Israeli airstrike kills Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi, escalating tensions in Middle East regional conflict.
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, killing Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government, along with several other ministers. The strike marks one of the highest-profile attacks on the Iran-backed rebel group amid heightened tensions linked to the broader regional conflict involving Israel, Iran, and Palestine.
Details of the Strike and Casualties
The airstrike occurred on Thursday at a government workshop in Sanaa, where Houthi officials were assessing their administrative activities over the previous year. The targeted event resulted in the death of Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and multiple high-ranking ministers while injuring several others.
The Israeli military confirmed it had "accurately targeted a military site associated with the Houthi terrorist regime" near Sanaa but did not immediately address the fatalities confirmed by Houthi sources. The rebels described al-Rahawi as a "fighter" and announced the death of several colleagues, with some suffering moderate to severe injuries.
Who Was Ahmed al-Rahawi?
Ahmed al-Rahawi had served as the prime minister of the Houthi administration since August 2024. Though holding the title, many analysts regarded him as more of a figurehead, with the real power lying with the group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. The position of prime minister in this rebel-led government is largely symbolic but remains important in the administration and governance of the territories under Houthi control in northwestern Yemen.
Context: Houthis’ Role in Regional Conflict
The Houthis have been a central player in Yemen’s civil war since 2014, having seized control of Sanaa and much of the country’s northwest, opposing the internationally recognized government. Their sustained alliance with Iran and ongoing attacks against Saudi Arabia and Israel have entrenched the conflict in a larger regional power struggle.
Since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the ensuing Gaza conflict, the Houthis have launched numerous missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Israel has responded periodically with airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The recent operation is part of Israel’s efforts to degrade the group’s military and political leadership.
Implications for Yemen and the Middle East
The killing of al-Rahawi and several ministers in a precision strike is both a symbolic and strategic blow to the Houthi leadership. It underscores Israel’s expanding military focus beyond Gaza, aiming to curb what it views as an Iranian proxy threatening its security from multiple fronts.
The Houthis vowed retaliation, with leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi emphasizing the group's commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause. The attack has the potential to further escalate the conflict, with consequences for Yemen’s fragile civil war and the broader regional dynamics involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
International Reactions and Next Steps
The United States has so far refrained from detailed comment on the strike, while humanitarian organizations express concern about the worsening situation in Yemen, a country already devastated by years of war and famine.
Following al-Rahawi's death, the Houthis appointed deputy prime minister Mohammed Ahmed Miftah as interim prime minister, signaling efforts to maintain governance continuity despite the losses.
As the conflict intensifies, global attention remains fixed on Yemen’s volatile situation. The fragile political landscape risks further destabilization, and international calls for peace face daunting obstacles amid escalating military actions.
In summary, the Israeli airstrike killing of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi in Sanaa represents a pivotal moment in the prolonged Yemeni conflict, entwined with the wider geopolitical struggles in the Middle East. The incident highlights the sharp military and political confrontations shaping the region’s uncertain future.