An Israeli airstrike reportedly killed Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi, prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi-run government, along with several other ministers during a Thursday attack on Sanaa. The Houthis, who have controlled northern Yemen since 2014, stated al-Rahawi was targeted while attending a workshop alongside senior officials.
The strike occurred amid escalating regional tensions following Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli forces claimed the operation targeted “a Houthi terrorist regime military objective,” citing intelligence about the gathering. The Houthis’ Supreme Political Council chairman, Mahdi al-Mashat, vowed retaliation, declaring, “We shall take vengeance, and we shall forge from the depths of wounds a victory.”
Saudi Arabian outlet al-Hadath reported that Yemen’s foreign minister, along with ministers for justice, youth and sports, social affairs, and labor, were among those killed. Additional officials sustained injuries, though specific details remain unclear. Muhammad Ahmed Miftah, the Houthi deputy prime minister, will assume al-Rahawi’s role.
Al-Rahawi, who held office since August 2024, was described as a symbolic figure rather than a central decision-maker. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the group’s leader, and other top military officials were not listed among the casualties. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they are assessing the operation’s full impact but emphasized the strike was conducted “within a few hours” of receiving intelligence.