Israeli Strike Kills Houthi PM, Senior Officials in Sanaa

Head of the Houthi-led government Ahmad al-Rahawi looks on during a visit by Houthi government officials to the Hamas office in Sanaa, Yemen Aug 19, 2024.

The prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi government, Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rahwi, and several other ministers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the capital Sanaa, according to a statement from the group’s political leadership.

The attack, carried out on Thursday, also left a number of people wounded, though details remain unclear. Israel said its jets had targeted the Houthi chief of staff, defence minister, and other senior figures, adding that the outcome was still being verified.

Shortly after the announcement of Rahwi’s death, Houthi defence minister Mohamed al-Atifi appeared in a statement declaring readiness to confront Israel, though it was not clear whether his remarks were issued before or after the strike.

Rahwi, appointed prime minister nearly a year ago, was largely viewed as a symbolic leader, with real authority held by his deputy Mohamed Moftah, who has now been tasked with carrying out the prime minister’s duties.

Israel described the strike as a “complex operation” enabled by intelligence-gathering and air superiority. Security sources said the targets had been senior Houthi leaders gathered to watch a televised speech by their leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi.

The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have escalated attacks in the Red Sea and launched missiles towards Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Most of these missiles were intercepted, while Israel has responded with repeated strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including the key port of Hodeidah.