SANAA: In a major escalation of the conflict, Israeli airstrikes in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have reportedly killed the entire Houthi cabinet, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and several key ministers and military generals. While the Houthi-controlled government has confirmed the deaths of al-Rahawi and a number of ministers, an assessment reported by Israel’s Channel 12 suggests that a total of 12 ministers and several senior military commanders were killed in the targeted strikes.
According to reports, the attack on Thursday targeted a high-level meeting of Houthi officials in a villa in Sanaa. The Israeli military had previously stated it “precisely struck a Houthi terrorist regime military target,” but the full extent of the casualties only became clear later. Among the high-profile figures believed to have been killed are Defence Minister Mohamed al-Atifi and Chief of Staff Muhammad Abd Al-Karim al-Ghamari.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed the operation but has not provided a final number of casualties. The IDF has consistently stated that it will continue its campaign against the Houthis in response to their repeated missile and drone attacks on Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea.
This strike marks the most significant blow to the Houthi leadership since the start of the conflict. The Houthi-controlled government has condemned the attack, vowing “vengeance” against Israel. However, the scale of the loss is expected to have a significant impact on the group’s command and control structure.
The international community is watching the developments with deep concern, as the conflict in Yemen risks further destabilizing the already volatile region.
The US and its allies have also been conducting operations against the Houthis in response to attacks on shipping, but the scale of this Israeli strike is unprecedented.
