Close Call: WHO Chief Narrowly Escapes Israeli Airstrike on Yemen Airport

Friday 27 December 2024 - 10:10

On Thursday, a wave of Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s primary airport, just moments before the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was about to board a flight there. The attack on Sanaa International Airport, located in the Houthi-controlled capital, caused significant damage and injured one of the crew members of the United Nations plane, although Ghebreyesus and his team remained unharmed.

Ghebreyesus shared his experience on social media, revealing that he was only a few meters away from the blast as the airport was struck while they prepared to depart. "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge, and the runway were all damaged," he stated. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported among the WHO delegation, though the airstrikes left critical infrastructure in ruins.

The airstrikes also targeted the key port city of Hodeidah, leading to further casualties. According to local reports, three people were killed at the airport, and another three lost their lives in Hodeidah. At least 40 others were injured in these strikes, which the Israeli military claims were aimed at Houthi infrastructure, including airstrips, power stations, and ports allegedly used for smuggling weapons and facilitating the entry of Iranian officials. The Israeli military had previously expressed concerns over Houthi actions, including drone and missile launches aimed at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

In response, the Houthis have vowed to escalate their actions, promising retaliation for the Israeli airstrikes. Houthi-controlled media reported that the group is prepared to meet any further Israeli aggression with "escalation." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted that Israel’s campaign against the Houthis is just beginning, signaling further military operations.

This attack on Sanaa marks a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, which has seen Israel and the Houthis engage in increasingly hostile exchanges. The airstrikes come amid growing tensions in the region, with the Houthis continuing to launch rockets towards Israel and targeting maritime shipping routes in the Red Sea. Their actions are framed as part of a broader effort to support Palestinians in Gaza, a region suffering devastating losses in the ongoing Israeli military operation.

International calls for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers have intensified in the wake of these events. The United Nations reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of humanitarian personnel in Yemen, emphasizing the need to respect international law and the protection of civilian infrastructure.

As Israel's military campaign in Yemen escalates, experts warn of the risks involved, with Yemeni researcher Raiman al-Hamdani describing the situation as "playing with fire." The Houthis' continued offensive against Israel could set the stage for an even larger and more destructive conflict, one that might extend well beyond the current hostilities in Gaza.

The situation in Yemen remains tense, with international powers urging all parties to de-escalate and work toward a peaceful resolution.