Israeli Strikes Hit Yemen Amid Escalating Tensions: WHO Chief Caught in the Chaos
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East reached a critical juncture on Thursday when Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen's capital, Sanaa, killing at least six people and injuring dozens. The strikes occurred as the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other UN staff were at Sanaa International Airport, preparing to board a plane. This dramatic incident underscores the rising tensions and widening implications of the Israel-Houthi conflict amid the Gaza war.
The strikes reportedly damaged the airport’s control tower, departure lounge, and runway. Dr. Tedros confirmed his safety but expressed concern over the destruction, stating the team must now wait for airport repairs before departure. He was in Yemen to negotiate the release of UN detainees and assess the humanitarian situation, a critical mission disrupted by the escalating violence.
Israel’s military justified the airstrikes as "intelligence-based" operations targeting Houthi military infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the strikes are part of broader efforts to counter what he termed the "Iranian axis of evil." The targeted sites included power stations and ports in Sanaa and the western Hodeidah province, causing extensive damage and further complicating Yemen's fragile humanitarian situation.
The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency condemned the strikes as "barbaric," accusing Israel of indiscriminately targeting civilian infrastructure. The Houthis, backed by Iran, vowed continued resistance, linking their actions to the ongoing Gaza conflict. Earlier missile strikes by the Houthis have already injured several in Israel, fueling the cycle of retaliation.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the attacks as "especially alarming," warning of the risk of regional escalation. Iran also condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of international peace. The international community has increasingly voiced concerns about the broader implications of the Israel-Houthi conflict, particularly its impact on Yemen, a country already ravaged by years of civil war and humanitarian crises.
The situation highlights the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics, where overlapping conflicts intertwine local grievances with broader power struggles. The Israel-Houthi clashes, rooted in the Houthis' support for Palestinian causes, have further exacerbated the region's instability. These developments risk drawing in more actors and heightening the suffering of civilians in affected areas.
For Yemen, the latest strikes add to its burdens. The country has been in turmoil since 2015, with the Houthi rebels controlling large swathes of territory, including Sanaa, and facing off against the internationally recognized government backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The conflict has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions displaced and in desperate need of aid.
As regional tensions escalate, the international community must urgently intervene to prevent further loss of life and infrastructure. The strikes not only threaten to deepen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis but also risk igniting broader conflicts in the Middle East. Diplomacy, de-escalation, and prioritizing humanitarian aid are essential to navigating this perilous situation.
Refrence From: www.bbc.com