Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen’s main airport on May 28th, destroying the country’s last operational civilian aircraft, according to The National.
This comes only one day after Houthi militants fired missiles towards Israeli territory. The Israeli Defence Ministry said the strikes on Sanaa International Airport were a direct response to the Houthi missile launches and intended to send “a clear message” that “whoever fires at the State of Israel will pay a heavy price.”
Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the airport, where a plane belonging to Yemenia Airways was set ablaze. Debris was seen across the runway. The airport had only recently restarted operations following a previous Israeli strike.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the attack had “destroyed the last remaining plane used by the Houthis,” and warned that Israel would continue to target strategic infrastructure linked to the group and its allies.
The Houthi-run Saba news agency said that four strikes hit the airport, damaging the runway and Yemenia’s final functioning plane. The airport’s director, Khaled Al Shaief, confirmed the destruction of the aircraft in a post on X, describing it as a major blow to civilian travel.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg condemned the attack, saying it violated international norms. “Today’s strike on Sanaa airport and the destruction of a Yemeni civilian aircraft deprives many Yemenis of a critical means to leave the country for medical, educational, family or religious purposes, especially at a time when thousands are preparing for Hajj,” he said in a statement.
Grundberg added that military escalation between Israel and the Houthis is worsening the humanitarian situation in Yemen and destabilising the wider region.
Israel has conducted airstrikes in Yemen for months in response to repeated Houthi attacks during the ongoing war in Gaza. Houthi forces have launched missiles and drones at Israeli cities and disrupted international shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Despite an earlier US-led air campaign targeting Houthi capabilities, which has now concluded, the group has continued its operations, citing solidarity with Palestinians.
In a statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was acting on a clear principle: “Whoever harms us, we will harm him. Whoever does not understand this with force, will understand this with more force.”
It also reiterated claims that Iran is the primary force behind the Houthi offensive, calling the Yemeni group a “symptom” of a larger regional threat.
The National
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