Iran-Backed Houthi PM Killed In Israeli Airstrikes On Yemen, Defence Minister Likely Dead

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 18:48 IST

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it attacked the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen on Thursday, in which Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was reportedly killed.

Israel has launched several airstrikes at Houthi-controlled Yemen in retaliation for drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed group. (AFP/File)

Iran-backed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Euronews reported, citing Yemeni and Israeli reports. The strikes also targeted top military officials, including the Houthi Defence Minister.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it attacked the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen on Thursday, four days after a deadly round of bombings against the Iran-backed group, which had repeatedly launched missiles and drones to express support for the Palestinians.

The Israeli military said after those strikes that it had targeted what it said were Huthi military sites, including the presidential palace, in response to attacks against Israel. Authorities in Sanaa said at least 10 people were killed and 90 were injured.

Al-Rahawi died in his Sanaa apartment during the Israeli strikes, according to the Yemeni Al-Jumhuriya outlet. Several of his associates were also reportedly killed in the same strike. The Israeli military said it struck a “military target" belonging to the Houthis on Thursday, without specifying who it was.

Defence Minister Likely Killed

Additionally, Israeli officials said they believe the strikes eliminated Houthi Defence Minister Mohamed al-Atifi and Chief of Staff Muhammad Abd Al-Karim al-Ghamari during a cabinet meeting of senior officials outside Sanaa.

Al-Ghamari had been wounded in a previous Israeli attack, according to Euronews. However, Israel is still assessing whether further deaths among the Houthi leadership can be confirmed.

The airstrikes coincided with a planned speech by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who was reportedly not present at the targeted location of the Israeli strikes. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had approved the strikes along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli military Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir.

“As we warned the Houthis in Yemen, after the Plague of Darkness comes the Plague of the Firstborn. Whoever raises a hand against Israel — his hand will be cut off," Katz said.

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel since the Gaza war began and have targeted ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden that they allege are connected to Israel. The rebel group controls large parts of Yemen, which has been gripped by war since 2014, and is part of Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance.

The Trump administration had announced a deal with the Houthis to end the strikes in return for an end to attacks on shipping in May.

(with inputs from AFP)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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First Published:

August 29, 2025, 18:48 IST

News world Iran-Backed Houthi PM Killed In Israeli Airstrikes On Yemen, Defence Minister Likely Dead

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