Sanaa, Yemen — August 30, 2025 – In a significant escalation across the Red Sea conflict, an Israeli airstrike targeted a high-level workshop in a villa in Beit Baws, southern Sanaa, killing Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahawi—the prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi-led administration—and several cabinet ministers. The strike, confirmed via official Houthi and Israeli statements, marks the first time top leaders have been killed in such an attack.
Who Was Ahmed al-Rahawi?
- Al-Rahawi served as prime minister of the Houthi administration from August 2024 until his death in August 2025.
- Widely viewed as a symbolic leader rather than a strategic decision-maker, he often managed civilian governance rather than military affairs.
Details of the Strike
- The strike occurred during a routine government workshop evaluating the past year’s performance, as a televised speech by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi played in the background.
- Associated Press and Reuters cited tribal and local sources confirming al-Rahawi and other ministers were killed, with others wounded.
- Israel’s Defense Forces stated the airstrike targeted senior Houthi military and political figures responsible for “terror actions” against Israel.
Political Fallout & Reactions
- Houthi chairman Mahdi al-Mashat vowed “revenge,” declaring, “We promise to God… we shall take vengeance, and we shall forge from the depths of wounds a victory.”
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called it a “crushing blow” and signaled this was “only the beginning.”
Leadership Transition
- Following al-Rahawi’s death, his deputy, Muhammad Ahmed Miftah, was appointed acting prime minister by the Supreme Political Council.
Broader Context
- The strike forms part of a broader Israeli-U.S. campaign responding to repeated Houthi missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory and shipping lanes in the Red Sea.
- Analysts see this as a strategic shift—targeting Houthi leadership rather than solely infrastructure.
Tweets About That:
Summary Table
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | Thursday (Aug 28), confirmed Aug 30, 2025 |
| Location | Beit Baws, Sanaa, Yemen |
| Deceased | PM Ahmed al-Rahawi, several ministers |
| Successor | Deputy PM Muhammad Ahmed Miftah |
| Houthi Response | Vows of revenge by Mahdi al-Mashat |
| Israel’s Position | Described as precise strike targeting “terror actions” |
| Strategic Significance | Signals shift to targeting leadership amid wider Red Sea conflict |
Sources & References
- Associated Press – Israeli airstrike kills Houthi prime minister in Yemen’s capital
- Reuters – Prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi-run government killed in Israeli strike
- Al Jazeera – Yemen’s Houthis confirm Israeli airstrike killed their prime minister
- The Guardian – Yemen’s Houthis say Israeli airstrike killed their prime minister
- The Washington Post – Houthi leader Ahmad al-Rahawi killed in Israeli strike
- Fox News – Israel eliminates Houthi prime minister in Yemen airstrike
- Wikipedia – Ahmed al-Rahawi
- Wikipedia – Israeli attacks on Yemen (May 2025–present)
