The Prime Minister of Yemen's Houthi government, Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rahwi, was killed in a powerful Israeli airstrike on the capital city of Sanaa. According to the Houthi-run news agency, several senior ministers also lost their lives in the strike. The announcement was made by Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, on Saturday.
Reports confirmed that multiple people were wounded in the attack, although no detailed numbers were provided. Israel revealed that the strike targeted top Houthi leaders, including the group's chief of staff, the defence minister, and other senior officials. However, it remains unclear whether the Houthi defence minister was among those killed.
Al-Rahwi, who became prime minister nearly a year ago, was mostly seen as a ceremonial figurehead. Real power rested with his deputy, Mohamed Moftah. Following the attack, Moftah has been appointed to temporarily handle the duties of prime minister. Analysts note that the loss highlights the vulnerability of Houthi leadership despite their ongoing military operations.
The Israeli military described the airstrike as a "complex operation" supported by intelligence-gathering and advanced air power. Fighter jets reportedly struck a compound in the Sanaa region where senior Houthi officials had assembled. The meeting coincided with a televised speech recorded by Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi.
The Houthis, closely aligned with Iran, have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea, claiming these actions are acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. They have also launched missiles toward Israel, most of which were intercepted.
Israel has continued to respond with precision strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including the strategically important port of Hodeidah. This escalation underlines the growing regional conflict, linking Yemen's war to broader tensions across the Middle East.
Source: (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/prime-minister-yemens-houthi-government-killed-israeli-strike-2025-08-30/)