Sanaa, Yemen – May 6, 2025 — In a significant escalation of regional hostilities, Israeli airstrikes targeted and disabled Sanaa International Airport, the main airport in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital. The Israeli military stated that the airport was being utilized by the Houthi movement to transfer weapons and operatives, justifying the strike as a necessary measure to neutralize a perceived threat.
The airstrikes, which also hit a cement factory and several power stations in and around Sanaa, were launched in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack by the Houthis that landed near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport on May 4. The Israeli military emphasized that such operations would continue against any group posing a threat to Israel.
Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported that at least three people were killed and more than 30 others wounded in the Sanaa strikes. The Houthi political bureau condemned the attacks, asserting that targeting Yemeni infrastructure aims to impose a blockade on the Yemeni people and will not deter their support for Gaza.
Sultan Barakat, a professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, criticized the Israeli justification for the strikes, stating that Sanaa International Airport is under significant restrictions and not a strategic military target. He described the attack as “pure vandalism” that would hinder humanitarian operations in one of the world’s poorest countries.
The Israeli military’s actions in Yemen follow a pattern of retaliatory strikes against the Houthis, who have launched over 100 drone and missile attacks targeting vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea since November 2023. The Houthis claim these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating situation. U.N. special envoy Hans Grundberg described the developments as a grave escalation and called for restraint. The strikes have also raised fears about the potential for further regional destabilization and the impact on global shipping routes through the Red Sea.
As tensions continue to rise, the humanitarian situation in Yemen remains dire, with the recent attacks further complicating efforts to provide aid and support to the affected population.
Source; Al Jazeera
