Hundreds gathered in Yemen on Monday for the burials of Ahmed al-Rahawi, the Houthi prime minister, and several government officials who lost their lives last week. The rebel group claimed they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, shortly after the Iran-backed Houthis launched a ballistic missile aimed at Israel, described by its military as the first cluster bomb attack since 2023.
The funeral took place at the Shaab Mosque in Sanaa, with Al-Masirah TV broadcasting the event. Mourners at the mosque expressed anti-Israel and anti-U.S. sentiments while mourning the loss of officials, including ministers of foreign affairs, media, culture, and industry.
Israeli authorities confirmed that their airstrike targeted high-ranking Houthi officials but did not directly address the deaths of al-Rahawi and the ministers. Attendees at the funeral, such as Ahmed Khaled and Fathy Mahmoud, witnessed the families of the deceased officials arriving in ambulances, with the bodies laid in coffins inside the mosque, each draped in Yemeni flags.
Al-Rahawi’s death marked the highest-ranking Houthi official killed during the ongoing Israeli-U.S. campaign against the rebel group. Mohamed Muftah, the Houthis’ acting prime minister, emphasized during the funeral that despite Israeli attacks, Yemeni ports under their control are operational without food or fuel shortages.
In a separate incident, the Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacking an oil tanker off the Saudi Arabian coast in the Red Sea, alleging ties between the vessel, the Scarlet Ray, and Israel. Eastern Pacific, the ship’s owner, reportedly linked to Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer, stated that the vessel remained unharmed and operational with all crew members safe.
The Houthis have targeted Israel and ships in the Red Sea in response to the conflict in Gaza, disrupting shipping routes vital for global trade. Despite a temporary ceasefire, the rebels faced intense airstrikes by the U.S. before a truce was declared. The recent attacks coincide with uncertain prospects for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
