Israeli Airstrike Destroys Last Civilian Plane at Sana’a Airport Following Houthi Missile Launches
Israeli warplanes struck Yemen’s main international airport in Sana’a on Wednesday, marking the second such attack this month.
The Israeli government said the strike was in response to recent ballistic missile launches by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and confirmed it had destroyed the last operational aircraft used by the group at the site.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the air force targeted “terror infrastructure” at the airport, reiterating Israel’s policy that any attacks on its territory will result in retaliation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the sentiment, warning, “Whoever harms us, we will harm them,” and emphasized that Iran is the primary force behind Houthi aggression.
The strike reportedly destroyed the final Yemenia Airways plane stationed at the airport. Khaled al-Shaief, director of Sana’a International Airport, shared an image of the burning wreckage on social media, saying the aircraft had been scheduled to transport Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The airport, which serves Yemen’s capital and is a critical hub for over 20 million residents in Houthi-controlled areas, had only recently resumed limited operations after being damaged in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. That initial attack followed a Houthi missile strike that landed near Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv, prompting security concerns and some flight suspensions.
The Houthis have launched a series of drone and missile attacks against Israel and commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October 2023, declaring their campaign an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. While the Israeli military reported intercepting all incoming missiles this week, tensions continue to escalate in the region.
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi responded to the latest Israeli strike by reaffirming the group’s commitment to its campaign, saying Israeli aggression would not deter support for Gaza. He accused Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure to restore deterrence after the recent pause in US military operations in Yemen.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced a halt to US airstrikes against the Houthis after more than a year of sustained attacks aimed at curbing their threats to maritime security. The Houthis stated they would stop targeting US interests if Washington maintained the ceasefire, though they pledged to continue operations against Israel.
With input from the New York Times and Al Jazeera.
