Israeli airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen kill six, injure dozens as WHO chief negotiates UN staff release during the attack.
Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen escalated regional tensions on Thursday, killing at least six people and injuring dozens. Among those present during the attack was WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was at Sanaa International Airport to negotiate the release of UN staff detainees.
The Strikes and Their Aftermath
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted what they described as “intelligence-based strikes” on military targets in Yemen, including:
- Sanaa International Airport: Strikes damaged the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway.
- Power Stations: The Haziz and Ras Kanatib power stations were hit, affecting civilian infrastructure.
- Ports: Military sites in Al-Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports on the western coast were targeted.
Houthi-run media reported six fatalities—three at the airport and three in Hodeidah province—and over 40 injuries. Victims included individuals at the airport, where multiple strikes occurred.
UN Response
WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the strikes disrupted his team’s mission to assess Yemen’s humanitarian situation and negotiate the release of UN detainees. In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the strikes “especially alarming,” warning of further regional escalation.
Israel’s Position
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strikes, framing them as part of a broader effort to dismantle Iran’s influence in the region. “We are only just starting with [the Houthis],” Netanyahu said, signaling more actions to come.
The strikes follow a series of Houthi missile launches into Israel, including a recent attack that injured over a dozen civilians. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned earlier this week that Israel would “decapitate” Houthi leadership if provocations continued.
The Houthi Response
Houthi leaders condemned the strikes as “barbaric” and linked them to broader regional conflicts, vowing to continue “confrontations with American and Israeli arrogance.” Iran, a key backer of the Houthis, described the airstrikes as a “clear violation of international peace and security.”
Humanitarian Concerns
The presence of WHO and UN staff at the airport during the strikes highlights the fragile state of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. Sanaa’s airport is a critical hub for humanitarian aid and medical supplies in a country devastated by nearly a decade of civil war. The strikes risk further disrupting already limited aid flows.
Broader Context
The conflict between Israel and the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, has intensified since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. The Houthis have launched multiple missile and drone attacks on Israel, while Israel has retaliated with airstrikes in Yemen.
This escalation underscores the broader proxy dynamics in the region, with Iran’s support for groups like the Houthis increasingly drawing Israel into direct conflict beyond its immediate borders.
Conclusion
The Israeli strikes on Yemen, conducted as part of its campaign against Iranian-backed militias, mark a dangerous escalation in the region’s interconnected conflicts. With humanitarian operations and civilian infrastructure caught in the crossfire, the risks of further destabilization loom large.
As the situation develops, the international community will face growing pressure to mediate and prevent broader regional fallout, especially as Yemen remains one of the world’s most fragile states.
