The recent escalation in violence between Israeli forces and the Yemen-based Houthi militant group has raised global concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian and security situations in the region.
On Thursday, Israeli forces launched strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa and the western city of Hodeidah, reportedly killing at least six people and injuring dozens more, according to the Houthis.
One of the most significant attacks occurred at Sanaa International Airport, coinciding with the presence of a high-level United Nations (UN) delegation. The delegation, led by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was preparing to depart when the airstrike hit.
A WHO statement revealed that parts of the airport, including the air traffic control tower and departure lounge, were damaged, and a member of the flight crew was injured.
The incident temporarily halted UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operations, a critical lifeline for delivering aid and transporting humanitarian personnel in crisis zones.
“As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa, the airport came under aerial bombardment,” Tedros said. “One of our plane’s crew members was injured, and significant damage was done to the airport facilities.”
The UN delegation had just concluded talks on humanitarian issues and the release of detained personnel. This suspension of UNHAS operations will likely exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen, according to Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme.
In addition to the attack on Sanaa, Israeli airstrikes targeted Hodeidah, striking the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Issa and a nearby power station. The Houthis reported that three people were killed and ten others injured in these strikes.
The group denounced the attacks as “brutal aggression” and vowed retaliation. Hezam al-Asad, a senior member of the Houthi political council, issued a threat in Hebrew, indicating that central Israeli areas, including Tel Aviv, might face future attacks.
This follows a recent escalation where projectiles launched from Yemen targeted Tel Aviv, injuring several people and causing damage.
Israel’s military confirmed the strikes, stating that they targeted “military infrastructure” used by the Houthis, including facilities at Sanaa International Airport and ports on the western coast.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) justified the strikes as part of broader efforts to dismantle the military capabilities of what it calls Iran’s “terror axis” in the region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated this stance, pledging to continue operations “until the mission is complete.”
The Houthis, who control large territories in Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, are part of a broader Iran-backed alliance that includes Hamas and Hezbollah.
This alliance has escalated its attacks on Israel and its allies since the outbreak of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attacks, has caused widespread devastation, with over 45,300 Palestinians reportedly killed in Gaza.
Thursday’s events also underscored the long-standing hostilities in Yemen. The UN delegation’s visit was part of ongoing efforts to address Yemen’s worsening humanitarian crisis and negotiate the release of UN staff detained by the Houthis.
WHO Director-General Tedros extended condolences to families of the victims and emphasized the critical need for humanitarian access and peace.
This escalation comes amid international scrutiny of Houthi activities, including disruptions in the Red Sea, a vital waterway for global shipping. The United States and the United Kingdom have previously conducted strikes against the Houthis in response to such activities.
The US State Department has designated the Houthis as a terrorist organization, further complicating diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.
As violence continues to spread across multiple fronts, the humanitarian toll in Yemen is mounting. Damage to infrastructure, displacement, and casualties exacerbate the already severe challenges faced by civilians in the war-torn country.
The UN and other international organizations are calling for immediate de-escalation and the resumption of critical humanitarian operations. However, with both sides pledging continued military actions, the prospects for peace remain uncertain.
