Houthis vow revenge against Israel over Yemen PM Ahmed al-Rahawi's killing

Al-Rahawi was killed in a Thursday strike along with “several” ministers, the Houthis said in a statement Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. He served as prime minister in parts of Yemen controlled by the Iran-aligned group.

The Houthis said the officials were targeted during a workshop, but did not specify the number of casualties.

“We shall take vengeance, and we shall forge from the depths of wounds a victory,” Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, said in a video message.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying on X that al-Rahawi and “additional senior officials of the Houthi terrorist regime” were killed. The Israel Defense Forces said the targeted officials were responsible for military operations and threats against Israel, and vowed to continue striking Houthi assets.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have launched missile strikes toward Israel and targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, framing these actions as solidarity with Palestinians.

Most of their missiles have been intercepted, but Israel has retaliated with repeated strikes on Houthi-held areas of Yemen, including Hodeidah port.

Over the past year, Israel has also assassinated several senior commanders of Hamas and Hezbollah, severely undermining both groups’ leadership structures.