In brief
The air raids conducted by Israel targeted military installations tied to the Houthi rebels, leading to significant damage at the airport and heightened regional tensions.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was present at Yemen's Sanaa international airport on Thursday when Israeli air strikes were launched, reportedly resulting in the deaths of at least six people. Dr. Tedros indicated that he and other UN personnel were preparing to board a flight when the bombardment struck.According to the Houthi-run Saba news agency, the strikes at the airport resulted in three fatalities and left 30 others injured, while additional reports noted three more casualties and ten injuries in the Hodeidah province. The Iran-backed Houthi group condemned the attacks, labeling them "barbaric". Israel, on the other hand, asserted that the air strikes were targeted at military sites and claimed to have executed "intelligence-based strikes" against the Houthi regime.Post-bombardment, Dr. Tedros reported he sustained no injuries, but highlighted the damage inflicted on crucial airport infrastructure, such as the air traffic control tower and the departure lounge. "We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave," he stated.United Nations Secretary General António Guterres expressed concern over the escalation of violence in his remarks on social media, underscoring the potential consequences this conflict could have on regional stability. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that military assets at Sanaa's airport, as well as target sites near Al-Hudaydah and various ports, were hit.In a statement made shortly after the air strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a commitment to countering the "Iranian axis of evil." He stated, "we are only just starting with [the Houthis]." This follows an earlier missile interception by the IDF originating from Yemen.In response to the air strikes, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a prominent Houthi leader, denounced the attacks as "barbaric" and vowed to resist what he referred to as "American and Israeli arrogance" until there was resolution in Gaza. Reports from eyewitnesses indicated multiple strikes on the runway prior to the control tower being targeted, with casualties being treated in nearby hospitals, including one patient in critical condition.Iran condemned the air strikes as a "clear violation of international peace and security," highlighting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Houthi forces, which has intensified since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. With the recent escalations in conflict, the situation remains precarious, with the Houthis engaged in missile strikes against Israel as retaliation for ongoing tensions.
