The Houthi-run government in Yemen said on Saturday that its prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike that struck Sana on Thursday afternoon, making him the highest-ranking Houthi official reported dead in the conflict to date. The group signaled its campaign of missile and drone launches would continue despite the loss.
Key Takeaways
- Houthi authorities say Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in an Israeli strike in Sana on Thursday, Aug 28, 2025.
- Additional officials were reported killed or wounded, but no names or numbers were released.
- Al-Rahawi led the Houthi cabinet since 2024; real power remains concentrated with the movement’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi.
- Israel has conducted long-range strikes into Yemen to deter Houthi fire and maritime attacks, with limited effect so far.
- The Houthis began launching missiles and drones at Israel after Oct 7, 2023, and have targeted Red Sea shipping, disrupting global trade.
- Israel’s defense minister previously threatened to target senior Houthi figures; official Israeli confirmation of this strike was not immediately available.
- A U.S.-led campaign against Houthi capabilities began under Biden, was stepped up in March 2025 under Trump, and scaled back in May.
Verified Facts
Houthi officials announced on Saturday that Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in an airstrike that hit the Yemeni capital, Sana, while government members were gathered for a workshop on . The government said several colleagues were also killed or injured, without naming them.
Al-Rahawi had served in various local posts before joining the Supreme Political Council in 2019 and becoming prime minister in 2024. His reported killing marks the most senior figure in the Iranian-backed movement to die in the current round of hostilities, though day-to-day control of the group is widely understood to rest with its leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi.
Since the Hamas-led Oct 7, 2023 assault on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza, the Houthis have repeatedly fired missiles and drones toward Israeli cities, framing the attacks as support for Palestinians. They have also targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea, claiming to enforce a blockade on Israel. Many ships hit or threatened had no clear links to Israel, prompting costly rerouting and delays for global trade.
Israel has responded with long-range air operations into Houthi-held Yemen, striking power infrastructure and port facilities, but these sorties have not halted Houthi launches. Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, has previously warned that senior Houthi leaders could be targeted if attacks continued.
Context & Impact
The Houthis are part of a broader Iran-aligned network that includes Hamas and other armed groups that have clashed with Israel during the Gaza war. Israel and Iran also engaged in 12 days of direct hostilities in June 2025, highlighting the regional risk of escalation.
Yemen’s civil war, which erupted in 2014, has produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Analysts note that strikes inside Yemen can push up fuel and staple prices, compounding hardship for civilians already coping with conflict and economic collapse.
Washington’s approach has shifted with administrations. A U.S.-led coalition began targeting Houthi capabilities under President Biden to protect shipping lanes. After taking office, President Trump intensified those operations in March 2025, then announced an end to U.S. bombings in May, asserting the Houthis were no longer seeking confrontation.
Official Statements
We will continue our stance of supporting and aiding the people of Gaza.
Houthi government statement (via official channels)
Unconfirmed
- Public, on-the-record confirmation from Israeli officials of the specific strike that killed al-Rahawi.
- The exact number and identities of additional casualties reported by the Houthi government.
- Precise targeting details (e.g., munitions used, specific facility struck) in Sana on Aug 28.
Bottom Line
If confirmed, the death of Ahmed al-Rahawi would be the Houthis’ highest-level loss of the war but is unlikely to curb their missile and maritime operations, which the group portrays as tied to the Gaza conflict. The strike underscores the risk of further escalation across the region and continued disruption in the Red Sea corridor.