Israeli airstrikes targeting Yemen's rebel-held capital of Sanaa ramped up tensions this week as hostilities continue to rise between Israel and Houthi forces, which are supported by Iran. The airstrikes occurred on Thursday, just days after the Houthi rebels claimed to have attacked Israel, launching missiles and drones amid regional unrest fueled by the recent conflict in Gaza.
The attack, which hit Sanaa International Airport and various ports, forced the World Health Organization's (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to temporarily delay his departure from the capital. Tedros was in Yemen to advocate for the release of detained U.N. staff and assess the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by the civil war.
“The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros recounted after the attack, confirming the injury of one crew member from the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service who required hospitalization. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later reported at least three individuals killed and dozens injured due to the strikes.
Despite the attack's devastation, Tedros noted the team members remained safe, and processes were underway to evaluate the damage before their next steps. The WHO chief articulated concerns over the safety and access to humanitarian aid as airports and ports serve as lifelines for the beleaguered population of Yemen.
The escalation of military activities between Israel and Houthi forces has drawn international condemnation. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated the Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure are alarmingly dangerous for humanitarian operations. “Israeli airstrikes today on Sana’a International Airport, the Red Sea ports and power stations in Yemen are especially alarming,” he said through his spokesperson.
For their part, the Israeli military maintained the airstrikes targeted Houthi military infrastructure integral to their operations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the situation, declared, “We are just getting started with them,” affirming Israel's commitment to dismantling what they describe as Iran's network of terror.
Reacting to the strikes, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdul-Salam condemned the bombardments, labeling them “a Zionist crime against the entire Yemeni people.” He insisted the resistance from Yemen is unwavering, especially as they assert solidarity with Palestinians amid the war affecting Gaza.
The conflict intensified following the shift of hostilities from traditional battlegrounds to various fronts. The Houthis have increased their missile attacks on Israel, claiming these are to display solidarity with the Palestinian people following the brutal conflict ignited by Hamas’s assault on October 7. “If the Zionist enemy thinks their crimes will deter Yemen from supporting Gaza, it is delusional,” Abdul-Salam asserted.
The airstrikes by Israel, coupled with the capacity to reach several hundreds of miles, are indicative of Israel's determination to confront groups threatening its national security. An Israeli military spokesperson noted multiple hits on targets alleged to be hubs for transferring Iranian weaponry, stating, “We have capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory.”
Concerns have heightened about the humanitarian crisis brewing within Yemen, where 80 percent of the population relies on aid. The UN has repeatedly highlighted the dire need for humanitarian access, especially as violence continues to cripple the country.
Over the weekend, reports of retaliatory strikes and casualties named specific locations hit across Yemen, including important ports which serve as entry points for humanitarian efforts. The Houthi-controlled media highlighted the fallout from the strikes, showing images of destruction and injuries inflicted on civilians.
Recognizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid, the international community has been urged to ramp up efforts to stabilize Yemen and mitigate the impact of military escalations. The U.N. Security Council plans to convene soon to address the dual aspects of conflict and humanitarian crises intertwined within the region.
With each new strike and counterstrike, the toll of the conflict grows heavier, impacting both the lives of Yemenis caught in the middle and the creeping escalation of tensions across the region as Israel and Iran continue to clash through proxy battles on various fronts.
The recent increase of airstrikes signifies the continued volatility and fragility of the situation, urging all parties involved to seek paths toward de-escalation and dialogue rather than military confrontation which only serves to deepen the humanitarian crisis.
