The longstanding tensions between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically on Thursday as Israeli airstrikes in Yemen resulted in the deaths of at least six people, with additional casualties reported. Among those caught in the crossfire was the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was at Sanaa International Airport during the strikes. Although he and his team were unharmed, the incident underscores the intensifying conflict’s far-reaching consequences.
Airstrikes at Sanaa Airport
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out what they described as “intelligence-based strikes on military targets” in Yemen. These strikes targeted key locations, including Sanaa’s airport, power stations, and ports along the western coast. According to the Houthi-run Saba news agency, the strikes killed three people at the airport and injured 30 others, while another three were killed and 10 injured in Hodeidah province. However, the exact identities of the fatalities—whether civilians or Houthi combatants—remain unclear.
The airport’s infrastructure suffered extensive damage, including its air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that his team was preparing to board a flight when the strikes began, resulting in injuries to one of the plane’s crew members.
Dr. Tedros was in Yemen on a mission to assess the humanitarian situation in Yemen in light of the recent conflict. “Our mission to negotiate the release of the United Nations staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in Yemen concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees’ immediate release. As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about three hours ago (around 5 pm local time), the airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our plane’s crew members was injured. At least two people were reported killed at the airport” Dr. Tedros explained in a statement.
“Our heartfelt condolences to the families whose loved ones lost their lives in the attack,” Tedros said, emphasizing the mission’s humanitarian focus on assessing Yemen’s health situation and advocating for the release of detained UN staff.
Background of the Strikes
Israel’s military justified the airstrikes as a response to recent Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Israel. Over the past year, the Iran-backed rebel group has launched over 200 missiles and 170 drones, many intercepted before reaching their targets. However, the Houthis have intensified these attacks in recent weeks, claiming to support Gaza amidst Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to countering threats from Iran’s regional proxies. “We are only just starting with [the Houthis],” Netanyahu stated, pledging continued efforts to dismantle the “terror arm of the Iranian axis of evil.”
The airstrikes were authorized by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and received approval from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Reports suggest that the United States was informed about the operation in advance.
Houthi and Iranian Responses
The Houthi rebel group condemned the strikes as “barbaric,” highlighting damage to critical infrastructure, including ports and power stations. Iran’s foreign ministry also denounced the attacks, calling them a “violation” of regional peace and security. These responses underscore the deepening divide between Israel and Iran’s allies, heightening concerns over a broader regional conflict.
The strikes in Yemen, already ravaged by years of war and humanitarian crises, compound the country’s struggles. The United Nations continues to call for de-escalation and the protection of civilians, as attacks on critical infrastructure exacerbate the dire living conditions for millions.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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