Israeli Airstrike Kills Houthi Prime Minister in Unprecedented Escalation of Yemen Conflict
Ahmed al-Rahawi, died Thursday during government meeting in Sanaa as Israel intensifies campaign against Iranian-backed rebels
An Israeli airstrike killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, the prime minister of Yemen's Houthi-controlled government, during a routine Cabinet meeting in the capital Sanaa on Thursday, marking the highest-ranking death in the Iranian-backed rebel group since the conflict escalated following the Gaza war. The targeted killing represents a significant intensification of Israel's military campaign against the Houthis, who have launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli targets in solidarity with Palestinians.
The Houthis confirmed al-Rahawi's death on Saturday alongside several other ministers who were killed or wounded in the precision strike. The attack occurred during what the rebels described as "a routine workshop held by the government to evaluate its activities and performance over the past year," according to a statement from the group.
Targeted Strike During Critical Meeting
The Israeli military acknowledged conducting the operation, stating it had "precisely struck a military target belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime in the vicinity of Sanaa in Yemen" on Thursday. The timing of the airstrike coincided with a broadcast on Houthi-owned television featuring a speech by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the secretive leader of the rebel group, where he discussed Gaza developments and promised retaliation against Israel.
"We announce the martyrdom of the fighter Ahmed Nasser al-Rahawi, Prime Minister in the Government of Change and Construction, alongside a number of his fellow ministers," the Houthi statement declared.
Tribal leaders told The Associated Press that the strike targeted a meeting for Houthi leaders in a villa in Beit Baws, an ancient village in southern Sanaa. Senior Houthi officials typically gathered to watch al-Houthi's pre-recorded speeches, making the timing strategically significant for Israeli intelligence.
Political Background and Significance
Al-Rahawi, who hailed from the southern province of Abyan, had served as prime minister for the Houthi-led administration since August 2024. He was formerly an ally of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. He joined forces with the Houthis when they seized Sanaa and much of northern and central Yemen in 2014, sparking the country's prolonged civil war.
The prime minister's death represents the most significant loss for Houthi leadership since the onset of Israel's air and naval campaign, which began in response to the rebels' missile and drone attacks on Israel and vessels in the Red Sea. While al-Rahawi's position was largely ceremonial within the Houthi power structure, his elimination demonstrates Israel's expanding intelligence capabilities and willingness to target senior figures in the organization.
Following the announcement, the Houthis appointed Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Ahmed Miftah as the acting Prime Minister. Houthi-backed President Mahdi al-Mashat vowed escalated attacks against Israel in a televised response, stating: "Dark days are awaiting you, thanks to the actions of your treacherous and dirty government," addressing the Israeli people.
Escalating Maritime and Missile Campaign
The Houthis have consistently launched missiles toward Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered the current Gaza conflict, presenting their assaults as solidarity with Palestinians. The Iranian-backed group has also targeted commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea, disrupting international maritime trade worth approximately $1 trillion annually.
According to Time magazine, most Houthi missiles aimed at Israel have been intercepted. Still, the group launched its first cluster bomb missile at Israel since 202,3 just days before al-Rahawi's killing. The rebels' actions over the past two years have forced numerous commercial vessels to alter their routes, significantly impacting global shipping operations.
"Yemen endures a lot for the victory of the Palestinian people," al-Rahawi had stated following an Israeli strike last week that targeted an oil facility and power plant in Houthi-controlled territory.
International Response and Diplomatic Efforts
The killing occurred against the backdrop of complex diplomatic maneuvering involving the United States, which has conducted its own bombing campaigns against Houthi targets. President Biden launched airstrikes against Yemen in January 2024 "in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea," according to Time's reporting.
Those strikes failed to deter the Houthis and only ceased when a ceasefire was brokered between Israel and Hamas in January. The group resumed attacks when Israel imposed a blockade on food and aid entering Gaza in March.
The Trump administration subsequently struck a deal with the Houthis in May to end U.S. airstrikes if the group stopped attacks on shipping. However, the agreement did not include provisions to halt attacks against Israel, which have continued.
Regional Implications and Historical Context
The Houthis have demonstrated remarkable resilience against intensive bombing campaigns, having survived a Saudi Arabian-led air campaign supported by the United States that killed an estimated 9,000 civilians during Yemen's civil war. The group's capture of Sanaa in 2014 sparked the brutal conflict against the internationally recognized government.
Iran announced Saturday the detention of eight individuals suspected of being part of a "terror" cell linked to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, accused of supplying sensitive location data about senior Iranian figures. This development suggests that broader intelligence operations will be conducted across the region as the conflict continues to expand.
The Houthis' maritime attacks have disrupted crucial shipping lanes, with the Red Sea serving as a vital route for global commerce. Their ability to threaten international shipping while simultaneously launching missiles at Israeli population centers has elevated the group's strategic importance in the broader Middle East conflict.
Escalation and Retaliation
Al-Rahawi's assassination marks a potential turning point in Israel's strategy against the Houthis, demonstrating a willingness to target senior leadership figures rather than focusing solely on military installations. The precision of the strike, occurring during a high-level government meeting, suggests sophisticated intelligence gathering and operational capabilities.
However, historical precedent suggests the killing is unlikely to significantly weaken Houthi operations or deter future attacks, given the group's demonstrated resilience and decentralized command structure. The appointment of an acting prime minister within hours of the announcement indicates continuity in the rebel administration's functions.
As Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and regional tensions escalate, al-Rahawi's death represents both a tactical victory for Israeli forces and a potential catalyst for further Houthi retaliation. The group's vow to escalate attacks suggests the cycle of violence between Israel and the Iranian-backed rebels will continue, potentially drawing in broader regional actors and further complicating efforts to achieve stability in the Middle East.