Yemen's Houthi Militia Accuses Israel of Bombing Capital Airport - Houthi rebels assert Israeli air strikes hit Sanaa's international airport.
Israel launches airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen following repeated Houthi attacks
Heavy smoke plumes rose from Sanaa International Airport on X, as thick black smoke billowed from the remnants of a destroyed aircraft. The airport director confirmed that the destroyed aircraft was the last operational one present on the grounds.
Israel's Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, announced that Israeli air forces had struck targeted sites at the airport in Sanaa. In response, Gantz stated, "This action is a clear message and a direct continuation of Israeli policy. Anyone who threatens Israel will confront severe consequences."
The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has been launching rockets and drones at Israel since the war in Gaza, with most intercepted by Israel′s air defense system. In May 2025, a rocket struck near a terminal building at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, injuring several individuals.
In the past few months, the Israeli army has retaliated by targeting various Houthi sites in Yemen in response. The Houthis control much of Yemen, including Sanaa, as part of an "Axis of Resistance" led by Iran, which also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian Islamic organization, Hamas, in Gaza. Their declared goal is the destruction of Israel.
The continued conflict between Israel and the Houthi militia highlights the complex regional dynamic involving Iran and connectivity with the Gaza Strip.
Recent airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport include:- December 26, 2024: Israeli Air Force struck the airport in response to Houthi attacks targeting Israeli population centers.- May 6, 2025: Following warnings, Israeli airstrikes targeted the airport and other sites across Yemen, destroying several aircraft, including three from Yemenia Airways.- May 28, 2025: Another airstrike destroyed the last remaining civilian aircraft at Sanaa Airport, a Yemenia flight chartered for Hajj pilgrims to Mecca. Officials noted it as another warning and part of a campaign to deter future Houthi aggression.
Houthi leaders often invoke the plight of Palestinians in Gaza in their rhetoric, portraying their attacks on Israeli targets as acts of solidarity and a broader struggle against perceived Israeli aggression. Iran is consistently seen as a key backer of the Houthis and is implicated in providing military, financial, and logistical support, enabling them to conduct complex operations against regional adversaries.
This regional conflict underscores how localized conflicts in Yemen are directly linked to broader tensions involving Israel, Iran, and the Gaza Strip.
The announcement of Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen was made by Prime Minister Benny Gantz, citing repeated Houthi attacks as the reason. The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia, have a declared goal of Israel's destruction and have been launching attacks from Yemen, which connects their conflict with the situation in the Gaza Strip. This regional conflict is a part of the broader war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news landscape.
