Israel fires at airport in Yemen while civilian plane lands - UN
Israeli aviation strikes a civilian airport in the capital of Yemen (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Israeli aviation reportedly struck the airport in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, while a civilian Airbus-320 plane with hundreds of passengers was landing. The airstrike also injured members of a UN delegation, reports the Associated Press (AP).
UN's top humanitarian official in Yemen, Julien Harneis, told the agency that two airstrikes on Thursday, December 26, affected him and around 15 others who were in the VIP lounge of Sana'a International Airport. Among those present was WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
However, according to Harneis, the most terrifying part was the destruction of the airport's control tower while a Yemeni Airways plane was taxiing after landing.
"Fortunately, that plane was able to land safely and the passengers were able to disembark, but it could have been far, far worse," the UN representative said during a video press conference from Sanaa.
According to Harneis, around 4:45 PM local time, one missile struck approximately 300 meters south of the VIP lounge, and another hit about 300 meters to the north. At that moment, around five members of the UN team were outside the building.
"Not only obviously did we have zero indication of any potential airstrikes, but we cannot remember the last time there were airstrikes in Sanaa during daylight hours," Harneis said.
He added that immediately after the airstrikes, UN security staff evacuated the delegation from the VIP building and placed them in five armored vehicles, where they waited for about 40 minutes to assess the situation and provide assistance to an injured crew member.
Harneis added that he sustained a serious shrapnel wound to his leg and lost a lot of blood. He was transported to a hospital in Sanaa, where he underwent surgery for four hours, while the rest of the delegation spent the night at the UN premises.
The plane carrying WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the UN team, including the injured crew member, was able to depart for Jordan in the afternoon of December 27 - despite the airport's control tower being out of service.
The UN reported that the injured crew member was taken to a hospital in Jordan, and Ghebreyesus returned to Geneva to the WHO headquarters.
Israel's response
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they targeted Sanaa airport due to its use by the Houthi rebels and Iran. According to the military, they were unaware of the presence of the WHO Director-General and the UN delegation at the airport.
In response, Harneis emphasized that the airport is a civilian facility, not a military one, and is used for the transportation of UN and other humanitarian workers, as well as for a single civilian flight between Yemen and Amman, Jordan. He noted that this flight operates under an international agreement, and thousands of Yemenis have used it to access modern medical treatment abroad.
According to the UN representative, in addition to the airstrikes on Sanaa airport on December 26, Israel also targeted the key port of Hudaydah in western Yemen. An IDF airstrike destroyed two tugboats and, according to estimates, reduced the port's capacity by 50%.
The UN reported that as a result of Israeli airstrikes, at least three people were killed, and dozens were injured. Among the wounded was a crew member of the UN humanitarian air service, who was preparing to evacuate a UN delegation of about 20 people from Sanaa.
Israel and Yemeni Houthi attacks
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip, the Houthi group in Yemen has been launching drone and missile strikes against Israel. In response, the Israeli army has targeted the positions of the terrorists.
It was previously reported that Israeli strikes on December 26 affected the delegation of WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The WHO Director-General was in Yemen to discuss the escalating humanitarian crisis and to negotiate the release of about 50 individuals held by the Houthis since June, through the efforts of the UN, NGOs, and civil society.
The previous exchange of strikes between Israel and Yemen occurred on December 21. After Houthi attacks on the Israeli capital, explosions were heard in Sanaa just a few hours later. It was later revealed that the attack had been carried out by US military forces.
