In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Yemen's Houthi-led government has announced that its Prime Minister, Abdel-Aziz bin Habtour, is officially missing. The declaration comes after a ferocious airstrike completely destroyed a building in the port city of Hudaydah on the Red Sea coast.
The strike, which local sources and international observers have widely attributed to Israel, has plunged the area into a state of emergency. While the Israeli military has maintained its standard policy of refusing to comment on specific foreign operations, the timing and location of the attack point to a dramatic expansion of the conflict beyond the borders of Gaza.
Search and Rescue Amidst the Rubble
Emergency crews are engaged in a desperate search through the rubble of the obliterated structure. Initial reports from Houthi-run media and government statements confirm that the Prime Minister was present at the site when the missile hit. The scale of the destruction has severely hampered rescue efforts, leaving his fate uncertain.
This incident marks one of the most significant direct strikes on a high-ranking member of the Houthi political leadership in recent years, signalling a potential major shift in the tactics employed against the group.
Regional Repercussions and the Shadow of Gaza
The airstrike occurs against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza and the Houthi's persistent campaign against international shipping in the Red Sea. The group has repeatedly launched drones and missiles towards Israel, vowing to continue their attacks in solidarity with Palestinians until the offensive on Gaza ceases.
This latest development threatens to further inflame an already volatile region, raising fears of a broader regional war. The direct targeting of a top political figure moves beyond the previously seen strikes on military assets and represents a dangerous new chapter in the conflict.
As the world watches, the situation in Hudaydah remains critical, with the fate of a national leader hanging in the balance and the potential for severe retaliation looming large.
