Israel-Yemen war: Houthi rebel PM Ahmed al-Rahawi killed in Sanaa; Israeli military confirms

Israeli airstrikes in Yemen’s capital Sanaa have killed Ahmed al-Rahawi, prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government, the Iran-backed rebels said Saturday.

According to the Houthis, al-Rahawi and several ministers died in a Thursday strike while attending a government workshop. The Israeli military confirmed it had “precisely struck a Houthi terrorist regime target” in Sanaa, AP reported.


Al-Rahawi, in office since August 2024, was a key figure in the rebel administration. The Houthis, who have fired missiles and drones at Israel and targeted Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war, remain undeterred despite most attacks being intercepted.

The Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles against Israel throughout Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The group says the attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians. Though most of the missiles launched by Yemen are intercepted by Israel or fragment mid-air, this has done little to deter the attacks.

Earlier in the week, Israeli strikes hit multiple areas across Sanaa, killing at least 10 people and wounding 102 others, according to the Houthi-run health ministry and govt officials.

The Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea throughout Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The rebels say their attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians.

In response to the Houthi attacks, Israel and a US-led coalition pounded the rebel-held areas in Yemen, including Sanaa and the strategic coastal city of Hodeida. Israeli strikes knocked the Sanaa airport out of service in May.