The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are currently assessing that the entire Houthi cabinet, including the prime minister and 12 other ministers, were likely killed in a major airstrike on Yemen’s capital, Sana’a. The report, initially broadcast by Israel’s Channel 12, remains an unofficial assessment, as the IDF continues to work towards a definitive confirmation of the strike’s results. This potential outcome, if verified, would represent a devastating blow to the leadership of the Iran-backed Houthi movement and a significant escalation in the regional conflict.
The strikes, which occurred on August 29, targeted a location where senior Houthi officials were reportedly gathered. According to Channel 12, the Houthi defense minister, Major General Mohamed al-Atifi, and the military chief of staff, Major General Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari, were en route to the site and were apparently at the location when it was hit. These two military leaders have been previously targeted multiple times by Israeli forces. The death of the Houthi Prime Minister, Ahmed Al-Rahawi, and several of his associates has been reported by Yemeni outlets like Al-Jumhuriya and Aden Al-Ghad, though the Houthis have publicly denied that any of their leaders were killed, claiming the strikes targeted civilians.
The Israeli military has confirmed it conducted strikes on a “Houthi terrorist regime military target in the area of Sana’a.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who approved the strikes alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a stark warning to the Houthis, stating, “As we warned the Houthis in Yemen, after the Plague of Darkness comes the Plague of the Firstborn. Whoever raises a hand against Israel — his hand will be cut off.” This statement underscores Israel’s position that the strikes were a direct response to the Houthis’ repeated attacks on Israeli territory and on shipping in the Red Sea.
This latest development follows months of escalating military action in Yemen. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the Houthis have launched numerous missiles and drones toward Israel in a show of solidarity with Palestinians. In response, a U.S.-led coalition and Israel have conducted strikes on Houthi-held areas in Yemen. The Trump administration had reportedly announced a deal in May to end strikes in exchange for an end to Houthi attacks on shipping, but the group said that agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel.
The potential elimination of the entire Houthi cabinet would fundamentally alter the dynamics of the conflict. It could severely disrupt the group’s command and control structure and ability to coordinate future attacks, but it also carries the risk of a severe and unpredictable retaliation from the Houthis and their backer, Iran.
Footage Charlie Kirk has been shot
Charlie Kirk has been shot
