A powerful Israeli airstrike on the Yemei capital of Sanaa has reportedly killed some of the most senior figures in the Houthi movement, raising questions about the group’s leadership structure and the potential consequences for Yemen’s long-running civil war.
The Main Target: Houthi Prime Minister
The Houthis confirmed that their self-appointed Prime Minister, Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi, was killed in the strike carried out earlier this week. Rahawi, who had held the position since August 2024, was largely seen as a symbolic political figurehead rather than a true military strategist. Nonetheless, his death marks a significant blow to the Houthis’ governing cabinet.
According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), the strike was based on precise intelligence indicating a high-level Houthi gathering in Sanaa. The IDF described the attack as a successful operation that “eliminated” Rahawi and other senior officials.
Other Ministers Reported Killed
While the Houthis themselves have been reluctant to name all the victims, Saudi-owned Al-Hadath television reported that several senior ministers died alongside Rahawi, including:
-
The Houthi Foreign Minister
-
The Minister of Justice
-
The Minister of Youth and Sports
-
The Minister of Social Affairs and Labor
The office of Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, acknowledged that “several other ministers” had been either killed or seriously wounded, but avoided publishing a complete list.
The Houthis announced that Muhammad Ahmed Miftah, Rahawi’s deputy, would temporarily assume the prime minister’s role.
Who Was Not Killed
Importantly, the group’s top leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, was not among those targeted. Nor were the Houthi Defense Minister or the group’s top military commander. This suggests that while the Israeli strike decimated parts of the political leadership, the core military command structure remains intact.
Retaliation Promised
The Houthis have vowed to retaliate for the killings, promising revenge against Israel for what they described as a “cowardly assassination.” The group has already been launching missiles and drones at Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war in 2023, in addition to targeting international shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Analysts fear the death of Rahawi and his ministers may intensify the Houthis’ campaign, rather than weaken it, as the group seeks to project strength in the face of heavy losses.
The Houthi Movement in Context
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, emerged from the Zaydi Shia community in northern Yemen during the 1990s. Initially a grassroots religious revivalist movement called “The Believing Youth,” they gained popularity among Yemen’s Zaydis, who make up roughly one-third of the population and have long complained of marginalization.
The group’s founding ideologue, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, drew inspiration from the 1979 Iranian Revolution and incorporated strong anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric into the movement’s identity. After Hussein’s death in 2004, leadership passed to his brother, Abdul-Malik, who transformed the Houthis into a formidable military-political force.
In 2014, the Houthis seized Sanaa, ousting the internationally recognized government and plunging Yemen into a civil war that continues today. With backing from Iran, the Houthis have consolidated control over most of northwestern Yemen, including the capital.
Implications of the Strike
The assassination of Rahawi and his ministers carries several implications:
-
Political Vacuum: The loss of multiple ministers could paralyze the Houthis’ administrative wing, even if the military command remains intact.
-
Escalation Risk: The Houthis are likely to escalate attacks on Israel and possibly intensify threats to international shipping routes.
-
Iran’s Role: Tehran may see the strike as a direct provocation, given its close ties to the Houthis, potentially widening the regional conflict.
-
Symbolic Victory for Israel: While Rahawi was not a major military strategist, eliminating him and his ministers is a propaganda victory for Israel, signaling its ability to strike deep in Houthi territory.
An Uncertain Future
The Houthis’ threats of retaliation underscore the danger of further escalation in the already volatile Middle East. With Israel conducting precision airstrikes in Yemen and the Houthis determined to expand their reach, the possibility of a broader conflict looms large.
For ordinary Yemenis, already devastated by a decade of war, famine, and disease, the death of political leaders in Sanaa offers little relief. Instead, it signals more turbulence ahead.
Comments
Post a Comment