Tensions Rise as Israel Targets Yemen's Sanaa Airport
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthi rebels has significant implications for regional stability, with the US, Britain, and other countries involved in reprisal strikes. The destruction of the last civilian plane at Sanaa airport will likely worsen the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which has been ravaged by war since 2015.
Israel launched air strikes on Yemen's Sanaa airport, hitting the runway and a Yemenia Airways plane, in response to Houthi rebels firing two projectiles towards Israel, which were shot down by Israeli air defences. The attack has destroyed the last civilian plane operated by Yemenia Airways at the airport, scheduled to take pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, claims the attack is an attempt to pressure them into changing their stance on supporting Palestinians. The Houthis, who claim solidarity with Palestinians, have been firing on Israel and Red Sea shipping, prompting reprisal strikes from Israel, the US, and Britain. The conflict has exacerbated a fragile situation in Yemen, which has been at war with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015.
Israeli officials say the attack was aimed at "targets" and is a response to the Houthi's firing on Israel. The Houthis have continued to fire projectiles at Israel despite a ceasefire agreement with the US earlier this month. Since March 18, the Houthis have launched 42 ballistic missiles and at least 10 drones at Israel, with the latest attack being the sixth in recent weeks.
The situation remains volatile, with the Houthis saying the strike won't deter their support for Palestinians in Gaza. The airport, which had only resumed limited commercial services on May 17, was closed by a heavy Israeli strike that destroyed six planes 11 days earlier, further complicating the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.