The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, found himself amidst chaos when Israeli air strikes targeted the airport in Sanaa, Yemen. Tedros had been in the region to negotiate the release of detained United Nations staff and to assess Yemen’s dire humanitarian situation.
“As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport came under aerial bombardment,” Tedros recounted in a statement shortly after the incident. The strikes, which severely damaged key airport infrastructure, including the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway, left one of his plane’s crew members injured and claimed the lives of at least two individuals.
The incident highlights the escalating tensions in the region. Tedros and his team are safe but now face an uncertain wait as repairs to the airport must be completed before they can leave. “Our heartfelt condolences to the families whose loved ones lost their lives in the attack,” he said.
Context of Tedros’ Visit to Yemen
Tedros’ visit to Yemen was part of ongoing efforts to address the worsening humanitarian crisis and to negotiate the release of 13 UN staff members detained by the Houthi rebels. The employees were taken in a coordinated crackdown across various parts of the country in June, amidst growing economic pressures and a series of air strikes by a US-led coalition.
Yemen has been grappling with a devastating conflict since 2014, pitting Houthi rebels against the internationally recognized government backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The situation has left millions in desperate need of aid and made the country one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Israel’s Retaliatory Air Strikes
The air strikes on Sanaa airport mark a significant escalation in Israel’s confrontation with the Houthis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from an air force base, defended the strikes as a necessary measure against Iran-aligned forces in the region. “We will continue to cut off the terror arm of the Iranian axis of evil until we complete the job,” Netanyahu said.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed these sentiments, vowing to “hunt down all the Houthi leaders” and asserting that no one would escape Israel’s reach.
The strikes followed a series of attacks by the Houthis, including a missile strike in Tel Aviv on Saturday. The Houthis, a group aligned with Iran, have increasingly targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, triggering retaliatory actions from the US, its allies, and now Israel.
Houthi Response and Escalation
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the air strikes as “a Zionist crime against all the Yemeni people.” The Houthis, who have been facing mounting economic difficulties, see the attacks as a part of broader aggression by foreign powers against Yemen.
The conflict has drawn in multiple regional and international actors, further complicating efforts for peace and stability. The US-led coalition’s actions, combined with retaliatory Houthi strikes, have heightened the stakes, with civilian casualties and infrastructure damage continuing to rise.
Implications for Humanitarian Efforts
The attack on Sanaa airport underscores the immense challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in Yemen. The UN and WHO’s work is often hampered by security concerns and logistical hurdles in a conflict zone. Tedros’ presence in Sanaa at the time of the strikes highlights the dangers humanitarian workers face while trying to deliver aid and mediate in such volatile regions.
The international community must now grapple with the fallout from this latest escalation. As calls for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution grow louder, incidents like these only underscore the urgent need for concerted diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the protracted conflict in Yemen.
In the meantime, Tedros and his team remain stranded, a stark reminder of the precarious nature of humanitarian missions in war zones.
