Israeli Forces Kill Prime Minister Of Yemen’s Houthi Government In Air Strike

Israel killed the prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi government and several cabinet ministers in a Thursday airstrike on Sanaa, delivering the first successful strike against senior officials in the Iran-aligned group’s leadership, Reuters reported.

Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, confirmed Saturday that Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rahwi died in the attack, along with the energy, foreign and information ministers, according to sources, Reuters reported. Al-Mashat did not clarify whether Defense Minister Mohamed al-Atifi survived the strike.

Israel said Friday the airstrike targeted the Houthis’ chief of staff, defense minister and other senior officials. Israeli security sources described the targets as locations where numerous Houthi officials gathered to watch a recorded speech by leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the outlet reported.

The Israeli military called the attack a “complex operation” enabled by intelligence-gathering and air superiority.

BREAKING: The Houthi prime minister and other ministers have been killed in an Israeli strike, Yemen’s Houthi-run news agency are reporting.
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Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Moftah will assume Rahwi’s duties. Rahwi had served as prime minister for approximately one year but functioned largely as a figurehead outside the Houthis’ inner leadership circle, according to the outlet. Moftah had already served as the de facto government leader. (RELATED: Videos Show US Military Launching Large-Scale Strike Against Iran-Backed Houthis In Yemen)

The Houthis have attacked Red Sea vessels and fired missiles toward Israel since October 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s Gaza war. Israel has responded with strikes on Houthi-controlled areas, including Hodeidah port.

In a televised speech, al-Mashat declared, “Our stance remains as it is and will remain until the aggression ends and the siege is lifted, no matter how great the challenges.” The Houthi leader added that his group “shall take revenge,” the outlet reported.