UN Health Chief Caught in Yemen Airport Strike, Exposing Regional Tensions
A series of Israeli military strikes hit multiple locations across Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport where World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was preparing to depart, according to Reuters.
The attacks resulted in six fatalities and left 40 people injured, including a UN Humanitarian Air Service crew member who was aboard Ghebreyesus's intended flight. Three deaths occurred at the airport, while three others were reported at Hodeidah port, according to local news agency Saba.
Israel's military campaign extended beyond the airport, targeting what it identified as military infrastructure at the Salif and Ras Kanatib ports along Yemen's western coast. Two power stations, Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib, were also struck during the operation.
Ghebreyesus, who emerged unharmed with his UN colleagues, described the extent of the damage on X: "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge—just a few meters from where we were—and the runway were damaged." The WHO chief indicated they would remain grounded until airport repairs could be completed.
U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay confirmed the injury to the UN Humanitarian Air Service crew member, highlighting the impact on humanitarian operations in the region.
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