The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had killed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Al-Rahawi along with several senior officials in an airstrike in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The operation, conducted by the Israeli Air Force, targeted a site where Houthi leaders were overseeing military operations and planning attacks against Israel. The IDF emphasized that the strike was part of its ongoing efforts to eliminate threats to Israeli civilians.
Israeli Airstrike Eliminates Houthi Prime Minister, Escalating Tensions And Intensifying Regional Conflict
According to the IDF, the airstrike was made possible through timely intelligence that enabled a rapid operational cycle completed within a few hours. Israeli officials highlighted that this was not an isolated attack, but part of a broader campaign against the Houthi leadership. A Houthi statement confirmed Al-Rahawi’s death, marking a significant blow to the Iran-backed group’s leadership.
The killing of the Houthi prime minister marked the second Israeli strike in Yemen within a week. Just days earlier, Israel struck Yemen’s capital in retaliation for Houthi missile attacks, leaving six people dead and dozens injured. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, overseeing operations from the IDF central command, issued a stern warning to the Houthis, declaring that any group raising arms against Israel would face devastating consequences.
Iran-Backed Houthis Persist In Attacks On Israel, Deepening Regional Instability And Conflict
The IDF has long accused the Houthis of operating under Iran’s guidance, carrying out actions that destabilize the region and threaten global maritime routes. Since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Houthis have aligned themselves with Hamas, frequently launching missiles and drones toward Israel. Many of these attacks have been intercepted by U.S. and Israeli defenses, underscoring the Houthis’ role in Iran’s broader proxy strategy.
The confrontation between Israel and the Houthis has persisted for nearly two years, intensifying after Hamas’ assault in 2023. Despite repeated setbacks from Israeli strikes, the Houthis continue to launch attacks in solidarity with Hamas, prolonging the cycle of violence. The latest assassination of the Houthi prime minister signals Israel’s determination to dismantle the group’s leadership while highlighting the escalating regional tensions fueled by Iran-backed militias.
