Israeli fighter jets targeted Yemen’s main international airport in Sana on Tuesday, following a missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi militia near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport last weekend. This recent airstrike is a part of an escalating conflict with the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of northwestern Yemen, including Sana. The Houthis have launched dozens of missiles and drones towards Israel and Red Sea vessels in a show of solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing war in Gaza.
The Israeli military asserted that the strike was a response to the Houthi assaults, detailing that flight runways, aircraft, and infrastructure were hit, rendering the airport inoperative. Prior warnings were issued on social media, instructing evacuation of the area. In addition to targeting the airport, Israeli planes struck power stations and a cement plant in the vicinity.
The Houthis’ missile strike near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday wounded at least six people, causing numerous flight cancellations. In retaliation, Israeli aircraft bombed the port city of Hudaydah and a nearby factory, resulting in casualties.
Sana’s airport, crucial for over 20 million Yemenis under Houthi rule, had only recently resumed commercial flights in 2022 after a lengthy closure due to a Saudi-led coalition’s campaign. This vital connection to the outside world provides access to medical treatment and other necessities. The airport’s destruction poses significant humanitarian challenges, as civilians bear the brunt of such military actions, according to Yemeni analyst Mohammed al-Basha.
The Houthis continue to defy these assaults, declaring their attacks as part of a “holy war” to assist Palestinians in Gaza. Their rhetoric underscores resistance against perceived aggressions by Israel and the U.S., further entrenching their political stance. Nadwa al-Dawsari from the Middle East Institute reflects that despite the severe bombings, the Houthis adapt by relying on maritime routes to smuggle weapons and supplies.
The ongoing conflict has deeply affected civilians, exemplified by widespread power outages and disruptions to daily life in Sana following the strikes. Mohammed Mansour Mohammed, a local resident, reported significant impacts on household utilities due to the attacks.
Israel previously targeted the Sana airport in December, and tensions continue to rise with the Houthis declaring an “air blockade” on Israel. Yemeni experts suggest that outside bombardments only strengthen the Houthis’ narrative, making it challenging to deter the group’s activities.
The broader context involves a stepped-up U.S. campaign against the Houthis, exacerbating the complex geopolitical landscape. President Trump’s administration intensified this effort with aims of incapacitating the militia’s capabilities, a policy that traces back to the Biden administration’s decisions.
As civilians and analysts reflect on the crisis, the narrative of punishment and resistance remains strong in Yemen, highlighting the multifaceted impacts of the conflict and the underlying humanitarian issues that persist amidst the strategic military actions.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/world/middleeast/israel-yemen-attack-sana-airport.html
Category : War and Armed Conflicts,International Relations,Israel-Gaza War (2023- ),Strikes,Houthis,Sana (Yemen),Israel,Yemen,Airports
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Publish Date: 2025-05-06 21:05:00
