Yemen’s Mahdi al-Mashat vows retaliation after Israeli strike kills PM al-Rahawi, reaffirming Ansar Allah’s support for Gaza and call to boycott “Israel”.
The head of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, Mahdi al-Mashat, confirmed that the government of Change and Construction will continue its work in a caretaker capacity, stressing that the blood of al-Rahawi and his fellow ministers will serve as a catalyst for resilience, rebuilding, and continuing the path.
In a speech on Saturday evening, al-Mashat added that “our great martyrs bore their responsibility with full merit during the most difficult period in Yemen’s history and fulfilled their pledges to support Gaza,” noting that state institutions will continue to provide services to the Yemeni people.
Al-Mashat also stressed that the Yemeni people are capable of overcoming all difficulties and challenges, adding, “The enemy will not be able to break our resolve, and we will not be intimidated by airstrikes or terrified by threats.”
He also vowed revenge for the Israeli crime, addressing the Israelis, saying, “We will have our revenge, and we will forge victory from the depths of our wounds. Our vengeance is implacable, and black days await you.”
“We will meet challenge with challenge, and you Zionists will never again taste any sense of security,” he stressed.
Furthermore, al-Mashat affirmed that Yemen’s stance regarding Gaza is firm, no matter the scale of the sacrifices, stating that the blood of the martyrs “was consecrated by a covenant to support Palestine.”
Call to cut boycott dealings with ‘Israel’
In messages to the international community, al-Mashat called on Arab and Islamic nations, as well as the world, to boycott any dealings with assets tied to “Israel”, stating that “the opportunity is still ripe for settlers to return to their home countries.”
He also issued a final warning to all companies in the occupation entity to “leave before it’s too late.”
The presidency of the republic in Sanaa had announced on Saturday the martyrdom of Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rahawi and a number of his fellow ministers, following an Israeli strike that targeted a meeting they were attending this past Thursday.
Ahmad Ghalib Nasser al-Rahawi Al-Yafei, a southern Yemeni politician from the General People’s Congress, was born in Khanfar district in Abyan Governorate, and he held several administrative positions, including Deputy Governor roles in both al-Mahwit and Abyan.
After the Saudi-led war on Yemen began, al-Rahawi relocated to Sanaa, where he was appointed Governor of Abyan and later joined the Supreme Political Council, and, on August 13, 2024, he became head of the Government of Change and Construction.
A prominent southern figure opposing the US-backed aggression, al-Rahawi survived multiple assassination attempts, including the destruction of his home by Al-Qaeda. He was known for his patriotic stance, tribal influence, and loyalty to Yemen’s sovereignty.