Israeli Airstrikes Target Houthi Positions in Yemen as WHO Chief and U.N. Team Await Departure
Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital, Sanaa, and key ports, causing significant damage to infrastructure. The World Health Organization’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported that the airstrikes occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight from Sanaa. He revealed that the airport’s air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway were damaged, but assured that he and his U.N. colleagues were unharmed. A crew member from the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service was injured in the attack, and at least three individuals were killed, with dozens more injured. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay confirmed the safety of the U.N. team, though the airport damage delayed their departure. A damage assessment was scheduled for Friday to determine whether they could leave Yemen. The strikes come after several days of Houthi missile launches targeting Israel, triggering sirens in central Israel. Israel’s military responded with airstrikes on Houthi infrastructure, including the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif, and Ras Qantib. The Israeli military claimed these facilities were used for smuggling Iranian weapons and for the movement of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military highlighted its capability to strike targets far from its borders with precision. Iran condemned the airstrikes, and the U.S. military has also recently targeted Houthi positions. The U.N. has expressed concern, noting that the targeted ports are vital entry points for humanitarian aid in Yemen, which has been mired in civil war since 2014. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation, calling the recent attacks “especially alarming.”