On Thursday, Israel launched substantial airstrikes against multiple targets across Yemen, most prominently targeting Sana’a International Airport. This series of attacks was framed as retaliation against the Houthi rebels, who have recently escalated their military actions against Israel, including missile and drone strikes.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was at the airport when the strike occurred, causing significant distress amid his humanitarian efforts. He reported, "One of our plane’s crew members was injured. At least two people were reported killed at the airport,” highlighting the dangerous intersection of humanitarian work and military conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted the military’s actions were necessary, stating, "We are determined to cut off this terrorist arm of Iran's evil axis.” His comments reflect Israel’s broader strategy to dismantle what it considers Iranian influence through proxy groups like the Houthis.
The Houthi-run media organization Al-Masirah reported varying death tolls from the strikes, with some accounts stating up to six fatalities, including civilians at the airport and additional casualties at the port of Ras Issa. Eyewitness accounts described heavy damage at Sana’a's airport, with significant destruction of the control tower and departure lounge.
Following the attacks, Tedros expressed concern for the humanitarian conditions worsening due to the airstrike damages, saying, "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged.” He had been visiting Yemen to advocate for the release of detained UN staff and assess the country's dire humanitarian situation.
The air raids targeted not just the airport but also military infrastructures, such as the Al-Dailami air base and sites across the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib. Statements from the Israeli military indicated these locations were being utilized for smuggling arms and hosting Iranian officials. Such assertions increase the already intense scrutiny on the Houthis’ activities, contributing to the narrative of them being part of the Iranian-supported axis against Israel.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the airstrikes, labeling them as "especially alarming," asserting the importance of protecting humanitarian operations. He noted, “International law must be respected,” reiterations of the legal frameworks meant to protect conflict-affected populations.
Contrarily, Iran’s foreign ministry condemned Israel's actions, calling them “an undeniable crime against the heroic and noble people of Yemen.” This statement reflects Iran’s positioning as the Houthis’ primary backer and highlights the international dimensions of the conflict.
With reports indicating increased Houthi missile launches toward Israel following these airstrikes, including efforts to target Ben Gurion Airport, the situation continues to escalate. Houthi rebels have pledged to continue their attacks on Israeli targets, taking advantage of the regional tensions exacerbated by the conflict over Gaza.
Analysts caution about the broader ramifications of the actions taken by Israel and the Houthis, particularly how they could potentially impact international shipping routes and civil stability across the already war-torn region of Yemen. The tensions not only affect every party involved directly but also implicate global stakeholders watching the outcomes as they pertain to international trade and humanitarian obligations.
The stakes are high, and as conflict lingers, the operational space for humanitarian efforts shrinks, drawing concerned responses from global organizations and governments alike. Global welfare remains interconnected, and the situation demands urgent attention from international diplomacy to seek resolutions before the crisis deepens.
