Israel strikes Sanaa airport in Yemen, targeting Houthi-controlled area in retaliation for previous attacks.

In recent military actions, Israel has purportedly targeted Yemen’s key international airport located in the rebel-held capital of Sanaa, claiming the facility had been “fully disabled.” The Israeli military reported that these airstrikes also struck a concrete factory and multiple power stations within the vicinity, describing the airport as a central node for Houthi operations purportedly linked to weapons transfers.

The strikes, attributed to a recent ballistic missile launch directed toward Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, caused significant civilian impact, leading to at least three confirmed fatalities and over 30 injuries, as reported by the Houthi-affiliated media outlet, Al Masirah TV. In a statement, the Houthi political bureau condemned the strikes, characterizing them as evidence of Israel’s substantial moral and strategic decline, and expressed their commitment to supporting Gaza despite attempts to undermine them.

Critics of these military actions, including Sultan Barakat, a public policy professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, have described the attack on Sanaa International Airport as unwarranted and damaging to humanitarian efforts in Yemen, one of the poorest nations globally. Barakat emphasized that the airport is subjected to stringent sanctions and restrictions, rendering it ineffective as a strategic military target. He labeled the assault as “pure vandalism,” highlighting concerns that such actions would only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis by obstructing vital UN operations and assistance efforts.

Footage validated by Al Jazeera’s Sanad fact-checking team demonstrated the immediate aftermath of the airstrikes, showcasing extensive smoke billowing from the affected areas. These developments come in the wake of earlier attacks on Yemen’s critical Hodeidah port, resulting in casualties and further destruction of infrastructure.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have been active in conducting retaliatory operations, including more than 100 drone and missile strikes targeting vessels they associate with Israeli interests in the Red Sea. They assert that their military actions are conducted in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, intending to maintain pressure until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza.

This ongoing conflict has intensified with the backdrop of a fragile humanitarian situation, further necessitating dialogue and resolution among the involved parties to assist those affected by the ongoing violence and infrastructural devastation.

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