The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the elimination of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Al-Rahawi and other senior officials in a strike in Sanaa, Yemen, on Thursday evening. The targeted facility housed officials responsible for military buildup and actions against Israel, according to an IDF statement. Sources indicate that at least four Houthi ministers may have been killed or seriously injured in the Israeli strikes. Among those reportedly affected are Ali Qasim Hussein Al-Yafi, Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Samir Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor. The fate of Ali Abdul Karim Ali Shaiban, appointed Minister of Health and Environment, remains unclear, with some reports suggesting serious injury. The strikes have led to confusion and a blow to Houthi credibility, as an initial denial of leadership casualties was issued by the Houthi Ministry of Defense. This denial was reportedly copied from a Houthi propagandist, a move that has shaken the movement's projected image of reliability, according to reports. Following the targeting of their government, Houthi leaders have reportedly gone into hiding and are instructed not to use smartphones, as reported by Al-Hadath correspondent Hayel Saeed. The Yemeni site Dippens Lane, associated with Houthi opponents, also reported that Houthi Minister of Defense Muhammad al-Datafi was seriously injured in the Sanaa attack, though this remains unconfirmed by other sources. Separately, two citizens were killed and a third wounded in the village of Deir Rajeh, north of Hodeidah, due to an exchange of fire between two Houthi leaders over aid distribution, witnesses stated. The dispute escalated to gunfire, resulting in civilian casualties. In a separate development, the UK and the US conducted precision strikes on Houthi military targets in January to degrade military capability and protect shipping in the Red Sea. The Yemeni government stated at the time that Washington had not informed or coordinated the start of these attacks with them.
