Yemen’s Houthi Prime Minister Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Sana’a

Yemen’s Houthi government Prime Minister and several ministers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the capital Sana’a, the Houthi-run news agency reported Saturday, citing a statement from Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council.

The agency said Thursday’s strike also left several others wounded, but provided no further details.

On Friday, Israel confirmed that its air force had targeted the Chief of Staff, Defense Minister, and other senior officials of the Iran-aligned group, adding that it was still verifying the results. Mashat’s statement did not clarify whether the Houthi Defense Minister was among the dead.

Ahmed Ghalib al-Rahwi, who became prime minister about a year ago, was largely regarded as a figurehead rather than a central player in Houthi leadership. Real power lay with his deputy, Mohammed Moftah, who was appointed Saturday to assume prime ministerial duties.

According to the Israeli military, fighter jets struck a compound in the Sana’a area where senior Houthi leaders had gathered. The operation was described as a “complex mission” made possible by intelligence-gathering and air superiority.

Israeli security sources said multiple locations were targeted where senior Houthi officials had assembled to watch a televised address by movement leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi.

The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out attacks on Red Sea shipping, framing them as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. They have also launched missiles toward Israel, most of which have been intercepted. In response, Israel has struck Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including the strategic port city of Hodeidah.