Sana, Yemen – In a major escalation in the Middle East conflict, the Prime Minister of the Houthi administration, Ahmed al-Rahavi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sana, the capital of Yemen. The Houthi rebel group, backed by Iran, officially confirmed the death of al-Rahavi and several ministers in the attack, which took place on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Houthi Rebels Confirm PM’s Death
On Saturday (August 30), the Houthis released an official statement declaring that their top political leader had died in an Israeli strike while attending a government workshop. According to their account, several senior officials were also killed during the bombing.
The death of al-Rahavi marks the highest-ranking Houthi casualty since Israel began targeting Yemen-based groups accused of supporting Hamas.
Israel Confirms “Accurate Military Strike”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the operation, stating it carried out a “precise strike on a Houthi military base in Sana”. The IDF accused the Houthis of directly aiding Hamas in the ongoing Gaza conflict by launching missiles and drones towards Israel over the past several months.
Israel’s defense systems have intercepted most of these attacks mid-air, but the Houthis insist their operations are acts of solidarity with Palestinians.
Rising Civilian Casualties in Yemen
This week alone, Houthi health authorities reported that at least 10 people were killed and over 100 injured in Israeli airstrikes across Sana. Saturday’s strike that killed al-Rahavi is likely to inflame tensions even further, with fears of wider regional escalation.
Regional Fallout
The assassination of Ahmed al-Rahavi could drastically reshape Yemen’s internal dynamics, where the Houthi movement has long dominated the capital. Analysts warn that the strike may draw Iran deeper into the conflict, while also complicating fragile ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
As the Houthis vow retaliation, observers believe the Middle East is edging closer to a broader warfront spanning Gaza, Yemen, and Lebanon.
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