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Israel assasinates Houthi rebel PM Ahmed al-Rahawi in airstrike over Yemeni capital Sanaa

The IDF confirmed they had precisely struck a Houthi terrorist regime military target in Sanaa. Ahmed Al-Rahawi served as prime minister since August 2024

(File) Yemen's Huthi-led government's Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi attends an event in Sanaa | AFP

Houthis on Saturday confirmed prime minister of the rebel-controlled government, Ahmed al-Rahawi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike over Yemen's capital, Sanaa on Saturday. 

In a statement, the Houthi rebels said Ahmed al-Rahawi was killed in a Thursday strike in Sanaa along with a number of ministers. 

Israel Defense Forces on Thursday said it "precisely struck a Houthi terrorist regime military target in the area of Sanaa in Yemen."

Al-Rahawi was reportedly killed during a routine workshop of the rebel government to evaluate its activities. Al-Rahawi has been serving as prime minister to the Houthi-led government since August 2024. He was targeted along with other members of his Houthi-controlled government during a routine workshop held by the government to evaluate its activities and performance over the past year, the rebels' statement said.

The Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles against Israel in solidarity with Palestinians. Though most of the missiles launched by Yemen were intercepted by Israel, or fragmented mid-air, this has done little to deter the attacks.

Israeli strikes earlier this week hit multiple areas across Sanaa, killing at least 10 people and wounding 102 others, Houthi government officials said. The Houthis have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea throughout Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The rebels say their attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians.

In response to the Houthi attacks, Israel and a US-led coalition pounded the rebel-held areas in Yemen. Israeli strikes knocked the Sanaa airport out of service in May.