Yemen Airport Attacked by Israel in Retaliation for Huthi Actions

Israel and Yemen's Houthi Rebels Trade Strikes

Sanaa, Yemen - A fresh round of chaos erupted in Yemen as Israeli warplanes hammered Sanaa's airport on Tuesday, following a Houthi missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.

Thick, black smoke filled the air above the airport after a series of Israeli strikes shook the war-torn capital city. The Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida reported power outages, according to rebel officials. It appears the Israelis targeted three electricity stations in and around the capital.

Confirming the airbase attack, Israel's military claimed responsibility for disabling Sanaa's airport, damaging runways, aircraft, and infrastructure. The military statement emphasized that the airport served as a central hub for the Houthi regime, providing a connection for weapon transfers and operatives.

Addressing the people of Sanaa, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee urged evacuation, warning, "Failing to evacuate may put you at risk," in a statement posted on X in Arabic.

Houthi authorities, in turn, promised retaliation, declaring, "The Israeli aggression will not pass without a response, and Yemen will not be discouraged from its stance in support of Gaza."

The Houthi conflict with Israel began in October 2023, as the group started attacking the Jewish state and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. With support and funding from Iran, the Houthis have continued their offensive, initiating the violent cycle that now escalates again.

The United Nations' special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called the exchange of strikes "a grave escalation in an already fragile and volatile regional context." He urged all parties to "exercise the utmost restraint and refrain from escalatory actions that risk inflicting further suffering on civilians."

This recent turn of events is the latest in a series of five Israeli attacks on Yemen since July 2024, with Houthi authorities reporting a total of 29 people killed. Israel's army regularly intercepts missiles originating from Yemen.

Sanaa's airport, which reopened to international flights in 2022 after a six-year blockade, offers a regular service to Jordan on the home-grown Yemenia airline.

Critical Insights

Since October 2023, The Houthis have consistently targeted Israel and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The Israeli-Houthi conflict is part of a broader regional confrontation, involving Iran as the Houthis' primary backer.
The Houthis have continued to attack Israel despite the US recent announcement of a ceasefire with the group. The truce does not cover attacks on Israel.

The Houthis in Yemen, backed by Iran, have consistently bombed Israel and commercial shipping in the Red Sea since October 2023.
The ongoing conflict between the Houthis and Israel also involves the politics of war-and-conflicts in the region.
Despite the recent US announcement of a ceasefire with the Houthis, they have continued to launch attacks, including the most recent one on Sanaa's airport.
Stakeholders in general-news, including the United Nations, have expressed concern over the escalation of the Israeli-Houthi conflict, urging all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further civilian suffering.