The World Health Organization (WHO) Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, found himself at Yemen's international airport during recent Israeli air strikes which resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals, according to reports.
During the strikes on December 27, Tedros and other UN staff were preparing to board their flights when the attacks commenced. Reports from the Houthi-run Saba news agency indicated three fatalities and about 30 injuries at the airport. Another three people were reported dead and ten more wounded in the western province of Hodeidah.
Describing the strikes as "barbaric," the agency noted substantial collateral damage with strikes hitting the airport as well as power stations and ports. The IDF stated the airstrikes were "intelligence-based" and aimed at military targets linked to the Houthis, whom Israel designates as terrorists. The military emphasized its focus on restricting the Houthi's military capabilities which have posed threats to regional stability.
According to Tedros, the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway at Sanaa airport sustained significant damage during the attack. "We were only meters away from the strike. The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge - just a few meters from where we were - and the runway were damaged," he recalled. He highlighted the urgency of repair work required at the airport, indicating, "We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave." This alarming description adds urgency to the humanitarian assessment he was conducting, as he arrived to negotiate the release of detained UN staff and to evaluate the existing health and humanitarian conditions across Yemen.
UN Secretary General António Guterres voiced his concerns, labelling the strikes as "especially alarming". He expressed regret over the escalation between Yemen and Israel and emphasized the broader risks of increasing tension within the region. His statement included, "I regret the recent escalation between Yemen and Israel, and remain deeply concerned about the risk of future escalation in the region." This situation draws attention to the precarious nature of peace and stability salient to both the Middle East and the international community.
The IDF confirmed its deliberate choice of targets; its operational goals focused exclusively on destroying capabilities possessed by the Houthi forces. The Israeli military's operations, as articulated through its official statements, suggest their strategy is driven by intelligence rather than random bombardment. "Fighter jets conducted intelligence-based strikes on military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime,” they reported, noting their persistent concerns over threats to Israeli security posed by the Houthis’ military operations.
The latest developments come amid growing tensions and replete accusations as both sides trade rhetoric about violations of ceasefire efforts and humanitarian safety. The airstrikes reflect the increasingly complicated nature of geopolitical dynamics within the region, particularly as international voices like the WHO and the UN weigh the human aspect of military action.
The ramifications of such attacks stretch beyond immediate physical damage; they also affect humanitarian efforts and jeopardize the already tenuous situation for civilians who continue to suffer under the weight of prolonged conflict. Organizations like the WHO must now strategize how to navigate and deliver aid or support within these increasingly hostile scenarios.
With the strikes causing palpable distress and disruption, the immediate future of aid deliveries to Yemen remains uncertain. Tedros's recent visit is now clouded with fears over safety and efficacy of operations as air travel is inhibited by damage at the airport.
The international community will be closely observing the aftermath of these strikes, deliberations within the UN, and any responsive measures taken by regional players or stakeholders invested in Yemen’s conflict resolution and humanitarian relief. Escalations such as these pose substantial concerns not just locally but reverberate through international discussions on peace and security.
