Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport sparked retaliation from Houthi rebels, marking another escalation in the region's conflict. Early Friday, the Houthis fired missiles toward Israel, just hours after Israeli jets struck the airport, killing three and injuring dozens, including UN personnel.
The airstrikes occurred as World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was preparing to board his flight. He described the chaotic scene as explosions erupted, stating, “When the attacks on the Sana’a airport happened, [Tedros] and several UN colleagues were having their passports stamped before heading to the UN plane,” according to WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris.
Israeli military actions targeted what they described as Houthi infrastructure used for military operations. The strikes also expanded to cover military locations along Yemen’s western coast, hitting ports and power stations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed, “We will persist until we complete the job,” emphasizing the intent to end what he termed the “Houthi threat.”
Responding to the airstrikes, Houthi officials vowed to retaliate swiftly. Al Masirah TV later reported the Houthis fired missiles aimed at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, signaling their commitment to escalate the conflict. Despite the aggressive action, Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted the missiles before they struck Israeli territory, causing air raid sirens to blare across central Israel.
This back-and-forth aggression is not new; Houthi rebels have increasingly leveraged missile and drone strikes against Israel, framing these actions as solidarity with Palestinians amid the broader Gaza conflict. The conflict's toll has escalated dramatically, with Gaza reports indicating around 45,000 Palestinian deaths, prompting regional tensions to climb.
Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, warned of the dangers these confrontations pose for overall stability, characterizing the Israeli airstrikes as “especially alarming after the year of escalatory actions by the Houthis.” The international community has expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis growing from the violence, noting significant disruptions these attacks cause to shipping routes and aid deliveries.
Following the airstrikes, Houthi spokespersons declared, “These strikes will only increase the determination and resolve of the great Yemeni people to continue supporting the Palestinian people,” marking their intent to persist with missile launches as part of their military strategy.
Pundits and analysts suggest Israel's military may find it challenging to conduct operations against the Houthis, who are based in Yemen and operate under distinctly different conditions than those faced during conflicts with groups like Hamas or Hezbollah. Political dynamics make it complex to target leadership or instill restraint among the Houthis, as intelligence-gathering efforts across such vast distances present significant operational hurdles.
For now, the situation remains critically tense, with Israeli defenses remaining on high alert and Houthi threats continuing to mount, adding layers of complexity to the already volatile Middle Eastern geopolitical chessboard. The UN and various humanitarian groups are closely monitoring the rising crisis, advocating for restraint and immediate discussions to prevent broader conflict.
Reports indicate flights at Sanaa Airport were temporarily halted following the bombardment, with WHO officials remaining cautious about future departures as the humanitarian situation remains precarious. A crew member injured during the airstrikes is reportedly recovering following surgery.
With both sides pledging to reinforce their military actions, the prospect of peace continues to elude those affected on the ground, caught between the ferocious clashing of military might and the humanitarian woes exacerbated by such continued violence.
