Escalation in Yemen: Houthi Rebel Prime Minister Reportedly Killed in Israeli Airstrike

In a dramatic turn of events, an alleged Israeli airstrike early Friday morning in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, has reportedly killed the Houthi-appointed Prime Minister, Abdel Aziz bin Habtour. The news, emanating from Houthi media outlets, signals a significant escalation in the already volatile Middle East, further entangling the ongoing Red Sea crisis with the broader regional conflict.

While Israel has maintained silence on the claims, the Houthi narrative places the strike squarely within the context of their retaliatory attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.

These maritime assaults, which the Houthis assert are in solidarity with Palestinians enduring the conflict in Gaza, have provoked a robust response from a U.S.-led coalition. Both American and British forces have conducted their own targeted airstrikes against Houthi military installations across Yemen in recent months.

Abdel Aziz bin Habtour, though holding the title of prime minister, served as a largely symbolic figurehead within the Houthi’s unrecognised government in Sanaa.

His death, if confirmed, would represent a major blow to the group's political leadership, even if his operational influence was limited. The Houthis had previously claimed a separate U.S.-British strike killed another of their officials, underscoring the relentless nature of the current conflict.

This alleged Israeli involvement marks a potential new front in the complex web of proxy battles defining the region.

It highlights Israel’s deepening concerns about the Houthis' capacity to disrupt vital shipping lanes and their broader alignment with the 'Axis of Resistance' backed by Iran. The incident is poised to intensify calls for a more concerted international response to prevent the conflict from spiraling further out of control, as regional and global powers grapple with the ripple effects of the Gaza war.