The Iranian-backed Houthi rebel movement has confirmed that its prime minister, Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi, was killed in an Israeli air strike on Thursday in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. The attack, which targeted a governmental workshop, also killed several other senior Houthi officials.
Who was Ahmed Rahawi, and what was his role in the Houthi movement?
Ahmed Rahawi had served as the Houthi prime minister since August 2024. Although primarily a political figurehead, he played a significant role in the group’s administration under the Supreme Political Council, balancing tribal allegiances with the group’s Iran-aligned ideology.
Did you know?
Ahmed Rahawi served as the Houthi prime minister since August 2024 and was seen largely as a political figurehead.
Details of the Israeli air strike on Houthi leadership in Sanaa
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that they had targeted a military site belonging to the Houthis in the vicinity of Sanaa. The attack was part of Israel’s response to the repeated missile and drone attacks launched by the Houthis against Israeli targets amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
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Impact of Rahawi’s death on Houthi political and military dynamics
Following Rahawi’s death, Houthi Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ahmed Miftah was appointed to assume his role. While Rahawi was not part of the group’s core military leadership, his killing is expected to affect the political balance and might fuel further escalation in the conflict.
How the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict implicates the Houthis
Since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis have consistently launched missiles and attacks against Israel, showing solidarity with the Palestinians. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen.
The escalating tensions highlight the complex regional proxy dynamics involving Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and various militant groups, with Yemen’s civil war deeply intertwined with broader Middle East conflicts.
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