Israel kills Houthi prime minister in Yemen airstrike

An Israeli airstrike on Aug. 28, 2025, struck a villa in Sanaa and killed Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al‑Rahawi, the prime minister of Yemen's Houthi-run government. The Houthi movement announced his death and said several ministers were killed or wounded during a routine government meeting. News of the strike and the deaths was reported on Aug. 30, 2025.

Al‑Rahawi, also spelled al‑Rawahi, had served as prime minister since Aug. 10, 2024. He rose to prominence after the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014 and helped run the movement's civilian government structures. He was considered one of the most senior Houthi officials killed since the conflict began.

The Israeli military said it 'precisely struck' a Houthi target and later confirmed al‑Rahawi's elimination. The Houthis and Israeli officials gave different casualty details, and independent verification remained limited. Officials described the strike as part of a campaign responding to Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israel and on shipping in the Red Sea.

The Houthi leadership named first Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Ahmed Miftah as acting prime minister after al‑Rahawi's death. The leadership change could harden Houthi responses and complicate efforts toward ceasefire diplomacy. Observers warn the strike may raise the risk of further escalation across the region.