Israel Strikes Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Killing 3 and Injuring Dozens Near WHO Chief at Sanaa Airport

Dec 28, 2024, 07:17 AM

Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and multiple ports on Thursday. The World Health Organization's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was at Sanaa International Airport preparing to board a flight when the strikes occurred, resulting in the injury of a UN plane crew member. The strikes damaged the airport's air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway. At least three people were reported killed and dozens injured in the airport strike. The Israeli military stated it targeted infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the airport and ports, claiming these were used for smuggling Iranian weapons and the entry of senior Iranian officials. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks on Israel, with the Israeli military asserting its capability to strike far from its territory. Tedros was in Yemen to negotiate the release of UN staff detainees and assess the humanitarian situation. He and his UN colleagues were safe, but they had to wait for a damage assessment before evacuating.