Israeli Airstrikes Target Houthi Leadership in Yemen

On Thursday, Israel conducted airstrikes in Sanaa, resulting in the deaths of Yemen’s Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb Al-Rahwi and several other government officials. This marked the first major strike against high-level leaders of the Houthi group, which has strong ties with Iran.

Mahdi Al-Mashat, who heads the Houthi Supreme Political Council, confirmed the death of Al-Rahwi and indicated that key figures such as the Ministers of Energy, Foreign Affairs, and Information were also killed. It remains unclear if the Defense Minister, Mohamed Al Atifi, was affected by the strikes.

Israeli authorities reported that the airstrikes specifically targeted the Houthi Chief of Staff and the Minister of Defense among other senior officials. Sources indicated that the strikes hit a location where Houthi officials were gathered for recorded addresses from their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi.

Israeli forces described the operation as “complex,” attributing the success to gather intelligence and their aerial superiority.

In confirmation of the airstrikes, a news agency linked to the Houthis reported the deaths, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Following these events, Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Mofta has taken over the responsibilities of Prime Minister Al-Rahwi. Although Al-Rahwi was in the prime ministerial role for roughly a year, reports suggest that he mainly acted as a figurehead within the Houthi leadership. Mofta had already been functioning as the government’s de facto leader.

Since October 2023, the Houthis have engaged in various attacks on ships in the Red Sea and launched missiles, voicing their support for the Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza. In retaliation, Israel has carried out strikes in Houthi-controlled regions, including the port city of Hodeidah.

In a recent speech, Al-Mashat vowed that their stance would not waver until the conflict ends and the siege is lifted, asserting that the group would seek “revenge.”