Yemen's Prime Minister Killed in Israeli Airstrike; Houthis Vow Retaliation
Yemen's Prime Minister, Ahmed Ghaleb Al-Rahawi, along with several of his colleagues, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa last Thursday. The attack targeted a government workshop where the ministers were assessing their performance. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control much of Yemen, have confirmed the killing and vowed retaliation.
Background and Context
Ahmed Ghaleb Al-Rahawi, who led the Houthi cabinet since 2024, is the most senior official known to have died in a series of Israeli attacks during the ongoing conflict. Israel has been striking Houthi targets for months in response to missile attacks by the rebels, who claim solidarity with the Palestinians, according to the South China Morning Post.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the strike in a social media post, stating that it had targeted a Houthi site where officials responsible for the use of force, the military buildup of the Houthi terror regime, and the advancement of terror actions against Israel
were located, as reported by Fox News.
Key Developments
Following the assassination, the Houthi rebels have vowed vengeance against Israel. Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthi movement, condemned Israel's record of terror
and vowed that the assassination of senior officials would not change Yemen's resolve, according to Al Jazeera English and IRNA English. He also warned about intensified attacks on Israel, as reported by TASS.
The Houthis have already claimed to have fired a missile at an Israeli-owned tanker in the Red Sea, days after their Prime Minister was killed, according to the South China Morning Post. However, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) stated that the attack missed its target.
Implications and Reactions
The death of Al-Rahawi and other officials are likely to make the Iranian-backed militia even more hawkish, say Yemen analysts cited by The New York Times. Subsequently, security around Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other leaders has been boosted amid revenge threats from the Houthis, as reported by The Times of Israel.
The Houthis also stormed UN offices in Sanaa and Hodeidah, detaining at least 11 staff members, according to RT (Russia Today). The UN has condemned these actions, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating that militants seized UN property and attempted to break into agency offices.
Current Status
Despite the assassination, the Houthi-run Yemeni presidency insisted that the government would continue to function without disruption. We remain steadfast in supporting Gaza,
the presidency stated, according to Middle East Eye.
However, the situation remains fluid and tense, with the potential for further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthi rebels. The international community, including Iran and the UN, has condemned the assassination and called for a de-escalation of violence.