Israeli fighter jets struck Sanaa International Airport early Wednesday, ruining Yemenia Airlines’ last functional airplane in a series of targeted airstrikes. The attack, part of Israel’s continuous reaction to Houthi aggressiveness from Yemen, marks a significant escalation in a dispute that has actually progressively attracted gamers far beyond Gaza.
According to Houthi-run Al-Masirah television, 4 strikes struck the airport runway and the nationwide airline company’s last staying airplane. Khaled al-Shaief, the Houthi-appointed airport director, verified the damage, sharing images on X that revealed flames swallowing up the airplane and thick black smoke increasing above the tarmac.
Yemenia Airlines revealed the instant suspension of all flights from the airport, stating it might no longer run under such conditions.
The attack drew sharp criticism from United Nations Unique Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, who condemned strikes on civilian facilities and cautioned of the more comprehensive fallout. “Today’s strike on Sanaa airport and the damage of a Yemeni civilian airplane denies lots of Yemenis of an important methods to leave the nation for medical, instructional, household, or spiritual functions,” he stated, explaining the timing as specifically harsh with the Hajj trip approaching.
Grundberg likewise slammed attacks on both Sanaa and Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport, calling them “undesirable” and advising all celebrations to regard worldwide law and safeguard civilians.
The Houthis have actually released rockets and drones towards Israel given that November 2023, declaring uniformity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has actually addressed with airstrikes throughout Houthi-held northern Yemen, consisting of a previous strike on the very same airport 2 weeks earlier.