SANAA: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), narrowly escaped an aerial bombardment at Sanaa International Airport in Yemen on Thursday. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least two people, and one crew member of the plane that was preparing to depart was injured. Tedros, accompanied by his United Nations (UN) and WHO colleagues, was about to board a flight when the bombings struck. Despite the tense situation, the WHO team remained unharmed, and the Director-General expressed relief that they were safe.
In a post shared on X, Tedros described the harrowing experience, explaining that the WHO mission to Yemen had focused on negotiating the release of detained UN staff and assessing the health and humanitarian situation in the country. He emphasized the continued call for the immediate release of detained staff and expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the bombing. Tedros mentioned that the airport had sustained significant damage, including to the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway, delaying their departure.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the attack and urged all parties involved to respect international law. He stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers, particularly in conflict zones. Guterres expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Yemen, calling the recent airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, Red Sea ports, and power stations alarming. He also condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure, which had led to several casualties, and reiterated the call for restraint and the cessation of military actions.
According to reports from the Israel Defence Force (IDF), the Israeli Air Force had carried out airstrikes targeting military installations used by Houthi forces in Yemen. These strikes focused on military infrastructure along the western coast and inland Yemen, including the Sanaa International Airport and several power stations and ports. The airstrikes were part of a broader military strategy to weaken Houthi capabilities in the region, although they also resulted in considerable civilian and infrastructure damage. The ongoing conflict between Yemen and Israel has raised concerns about further escalation in the region.
