The Israeli military conducted an airstrike on the main airport in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Tuesday, marking its second attack on Houthi-controlled territory in as many days. The strikes follow a missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi group that landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport over the weekend.
According to Houthi-run media, three people were killed in the strike. Israel stated that it had warned civilians to evacuate the area before the attack, which targeted Houthi infrastructure and rendered Sanaa International Airport inoperable. Eyewitnesses in the city reported four separate explosions.
This escalation comes amid the ongoing war in Gaza and increasing cross-regional hostilities. On Monday, Israeli forces also struck the port city of Hodeidah, reportedly killing four people and injuring dozens.
In a statement, the Israeli military said fighter jets had “neutralized key Houthi facilities” at Sanaa airport, including runways, aircraft, and support infrastructure. It described the airport as a critical node in the Houthis’ efforts to transport arms and personnel.
Khaled al-Shaief, the airport’s general director, confirmed that flight operations have been halted indefinitely and that the airport had suffered significant damage. Sources at the airport indicated that three civilian planes, the departure terminal, the runway, and a military installation were among the targets.
The Houthis responded by declaring that their military actions will continue, vowing to support the Palestinian cause until the conflict and blockade in Gaza are resolved. They have also threatened to impose a complete aerial blockade on Israel by targeting its airports.
The conflict reflects broader regional tensions involving Iran-backed factions. The Houthis, who control a large portion of northern Yemen, have sustained years of external military pressure yet remain a potent force in the region. They are aligned with other groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas in opposing Israeli and Western influence in the Middle East.
Israel has launched targeted strikes against leaders and facilities associated with these groups since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023. Despite setbacks, the Houthis continue to assert their presence through missile and drone attacks, particularly in the Red Sea and against Israeli territory.
A senior UN official warned that the recent hostilities signify a dangerous new phase in an already unstable regional landscape. Meanwhile, an official with Yemen’s national airline said that an initial survey suggests three of its aircraft were destroyed in the strike on the airport.
