Israeli Air Strikes Target Yemen’s Last Operating Plane
Israeli air strikes have reportedly destroyed the final operational plane at Yemen’s international airport, which is controlled by Houthi rebels, as confirmed by both Israeli officials and a Yemeni representative on Wednesday. This attack follows weeks after a previous strike had inflicted considerable damage on the airport’s facilities.
The air raid involved multiple strikes directed at a Yemenia Airways aircraft as well as the runway at Sanaa airport. The Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV condemned the incident, labeling it as “Israeli aggression,” highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
Destruction and Damage at Sanaa Airport
In a video shared on X, Khaled al-Shaief, the director of Sanaa airport, depicted thick black smoke billowing from the damaged plane, emphasizing that this was Yemenia’s last functional aircraft. The airport had recently resumed limited commercial operations on May 17, following a major Israeli assault that had led to the destruction of six planes just 11 days earlier.
The Houthis, demonstrating their support for the Palestinians, have launched attacks targeting Israel and maritime vessels in the Red Sea amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. This has elicited retaliation not only from Israel but also from the United States and the United Kingdom.
Israeli Defense Minister’s Statement
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, asserted that the airstrikes were aimed at Houthi “terror targets” at Sanaa International Airport, occurring just a day after the group had launched two projectiles toward Israel. Katz remarked, “Air Force jets have just struck terror targets of the Houthi terrorist organization at the airport in Sanaa and destroyed the last aircraft remaining.”
An Israeli military statement further claimed that the aircraft had been utilized by the Houthi group to transport individuals who had perpetrated attacks against Israel. Yemenia Airlines noted that the plane was in preparation to board Muslim pilgrims destined for the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Houthi Attacks and Regional Tensions
The Houthis initiated attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in November 2023, which coincided with the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. This led to retaliatory military actions by British and U.S. forces beginning in January 2024. Recently, the United States managed to broker a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis, bringing an end to weeks of intense American airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled regions.
Despite this ceasefire, the Houthis have continued to launch frequent missile attacks toward Israel, including strikes aimed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Earlier this month, Israel issued a warning indicating that it might target Houthi leadership in response to these ongoing aggressions.
UN Concerns Over Escalating Violence
Hans Grundberg, the United Nations special envoy, issued a cautionary statement regarding the escalating clashes between the Houthis and Israel. He emphasized that these confrontations are exacerbating an already volatile situation for both Yemen and the broader region.
The Houthis had previously halted their military operations during a two-month ceasefire in Gaza that ultimately collapsed in March. They have been engaged in a fierce conflict against a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, leading to a tragic humanitarian crisis and the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, although fighting intensity has notably decreased since a UN-negotiated truce in 2022.
Airport’s Impact on Humanitarian Efforts
In the heart of this ongoing conflict, the Sanaa airport, which had been shut down for six years during the war, reopened for commercial flights in 2022, reinstating services to and from Amman, Jordan. This reopening was seen as a glimmer of hope amidst the sustained turmoil.
However, the recent destruction of its last operational plane raises concerns about the future of humanitarian efforts and the ability to provide necessary services to the Yemeni population, who continue to suffer under the weight of war and blockade.
