Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group reportedly lost its prime minister during Israeli airstrikes on Friday, August 29, in the capital city of Sanaa.

Yemeni media outlets Al‑Jumhuriya and Aden Al‑Ghad claimed that Ahmed al‑Rahawi, the Houthi prime minister, was killed in a strike on an apartment. Aden Al‑Ghad also reported that several of his associates were struck in the attack. As of now, Israel has not confirmed these reports.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed on August 29 that its Air Force carried out a precision strike on a Houthi military target near Sanaa after intercepting two drones earlier in the day.

According to Defence Minister Israel Katz, the operation was approved in coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, and other senior commanders through the Red Line communication system. Katz made a statement referencing biblical plagues:

“After the plague of darkness comes the plague of the firstborn,”

Hinting that the strike may have specifically targeted top Houthi leaders. Earlier Israeli media reports had also suggested that political figures of the Iran-backed group were likely among the intended targets.

The Houthis strongly rejected the reports of targeted killings, accusing Israel of hitting civilian infrastructure and calling the strike a violation of international law. Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population labelled the attack a “war crime.”

The tensions come shortly after the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching a missile at southern Israel, a strike that Israeli defences reportedly intercepted successfully.

You might also be interested in - Why is Indian nurse Nimisha Priya facing execution in Yemen? | Case Explained