The prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi movement, Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser Al-Rahawi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this week, a development confirmed by the Iran-backed rebels on Saturday. Al-Rahawi, who had been appointed to his position last year, is noted as the highest-ranking official to lose his life amid a series of Israeli strikes related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
A statement released by the Houthis mourned Al-Rahawi’s death, declaring, “We announce the martyrdom of the fighter Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser Al-Rahawi… along with several of his ministerial colleagues, as they were targeted by the treacherous Israeli criminal enemy.” The announcement indicated that other officials accompanying them sustained injuries, described as moderate to severe, and were receiving medical attention.
The Israeli military conducted the airstrike in the vicinity of Sanaa, the capital city held by the Houthis. In response to the strikes, the Houthis have consistently expressed their support for the Palestinian cause, engaging in military actions against Israel by launching missiles and drones throughout the Gaza conflict.
The Israeli military characterized the operation as targeting “a Houthi terrorist regime military target.” Additionally, the Houthis have been involved in attacks on maritime shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming those vessels are linked to Israel amidst the backdrop of the Gaza conflict.
Since 2014, Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating war, with the Houthis controlling significant territories within the country. Their alliance with Iran positions them amidst a network of anti-Israel factions across the Middle East, contributing to the ongoing tensions in the region.
