Israeli fighter jets bombarded the main international airport in the Yemeni capital of Sana on Tuesday, according to the Israeli military. This attack occurred two days after the Houthi militia in Yemen fired a ballistic missile that struck near Israel’s main airport.
The Israeli strike is part of an ongoing conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis, who control Sana and much of northwestern Yemen. The Houthis have launched numerous rockets and drones at Israel, framing their actions as a solidarity campaign with Palestinians aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
The extent of the damage to Sana’s international airport remains unclear. This travel hub serves over 20 million Yemenis living in Houthi-controlled areas, connecting them to the rest of the world.
Prior to the attack, the Israeli military had issued warnings on social media, threatening the airport and advising those nearby to evacuate.
On Sunday, a Houthi ballistic missile successfully evaded Israel’s air defenses and struck near Ben-Gurion International Airport, resulting in multiple flight cancellations and at least six injuries. Israeli officials promised retaliatory actions in response to the missile strike.
The following evening, Israeli fighter jets targeted the port of Hudaydah in Houthi-controlled northwestern Yemen and a concrete factory east of the city, leading to at least four fatalities and over 30 injuries, according to the health ministry associated with the Houthi-led government.
In the wake of the missile strike on Ben Gurion, the Houthis announced an “air blockade” on Israel, pledging to continue targeting Israeli airports.