WhatsappOn Thursday, Israel launched a surprise attack on Houthis-controlled Sanaa, Yemen, that wiped out the entire Houthi leadership – including self appointed Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and 12 ministers.
Yemen’s Al-Jumhuriya channel and Aden Al-Ghad newspaper reported that Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in an Israeli strike on an apartment in Sanaa, with the latter noting several of his companions were also killed.
This strike appears distinct from another that reportedly targeted 10 senior Houthi ministers gathered outside the capital to hear a speech by leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi.
On Friday, the IDF confirmed the Houthi defense minister and chief of staff were targeted in the latter attack, with results still unconfirmed as of Friday afternoon.
Channel 12 reported that the Houthi defense minister and chief of staff were traveling to the cabinet meeting location just before the strike and were likely present when it occurred.
The attack’s full impact remains unclear, though Channel 13 cited political sources on Thursday suggesting “the attack succeeded,” and Ynet noted a growing assessment that the entire Houthi military and governmental leadership was eliminated. During a Friday situational assessment on regional military operations, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated, “The Houthis, an extension of Iran’s terrorist network, persist in attacking Israel and destabilizing the region and beyond. Our stance is firm—no tolerance.”
