Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen’s main airport in Sanaa, endangering a civilian Airbus 320 mid-landing and imperiling a UN delegation on Thursday, according to a UN humanitarian official.
Julien Harneis, the UN’s top humanitarian representative in Yemen, recounted the harrowing events to reporters, revealing the destruction of the airport’s control tower while a Yemenia Airways plane was taxiing after landing. Despite the chaos, the aircraft managed to land safely, allowing its passengers to disembark without injury. Harneis, joined by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was in the airport’s VIP lounge with 15 others when the strikes occurred.
The airstrikes struck approximately 300 metres north and south of the lounge at around 4:45 pm local time. Harneis remarked, “Not only did we have zero indication of potential airstrikes, but airstrikes in Sanaa during daylight hours are unprecedented.”
Casualties and immediate aftermath
The UN reported at least three fatalities and dozens of injuries, including a UN Humanitarian Air Service crew member who sustained severe leg injuries. UN security promptly moved the delegation into armoured vehicles, waiting for 40 minutes before aiding the injured crew member. He was later hospitalised in Sanaa, undergoing a four-hour surgery before being transported to Jordan on Friday.
Despite the destruction of the control tower, the UN plane managed to depart for Jordan with the delegation, including the injured crew member. Tedros has since returned to Geneva, where WHO is based.
Context of the airstrikes
The Houthis, Iran-backed rebels controlling Sanaa and northern Yemen, have intensified attacks on Israel following its military actions in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. The Houthis have targeted ships in the Red Sea and launched missiles and drones toward Israel.
The Israeli military defended its strikes, citing the airport’s use by Houthi forces and Iran. However, Harneis countered that the airport primarily serves civilian and humanitarian operations, including flights for medical evacuations and UN personnel. Yemenia Airways operates a single civilian route to Amman under an international agreement.
Humanitarian and economic devastation
The incident highlights Yemen’s worsening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a decade-long civil war between Houthi rebels and the internationally recognised government in the south. Harneis stated that 18 million Yemenis—half the population—require humanitarian aid, with numbers projected to rise to 19 million in 2024 due to economic decline.
Harneis accompanied Tedros in meetings with Houthi officials to address these challenges and secure the release of approximately 50 detained UN and NGO personnel. While commitments were made, the conditions for release remain under discussion.
Broader impact of the conflict
Beyond Sanaa, Israeli airstrikes have also targeted Yemen’s key port of Hodeida, responsible for 80% of food and over 90% of medical imports to northern Yemen. Recent strikes on the port destroyed tugboats and reduced its capacity by 50%.
Harneis emphasised that further damage to the port or airport could devastate the already fragile humanitarian supply chain, worsening conditions for millions.
Diplomatic efforts
While the UN delegation’s discussions with the Houthi leadership yielded tentative agreements regarding detainee conditions, the broader conflict underscores the complexity of balancing military operations with humanitarian imperatives.
The UN continues to call for restraint and prioritisation of civilian infrastructure and lives amid escalating hostilities.