Israeli fighter jets launched strikes on the international airport in Sana on Tuesday, according to military reports, marking a significant escalation in the conflict following recent missile attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia. The Israeli offensive came just 48 hours after a Houthi ballistic missile evaded interception and hit a location near Israel’s main airport, injuring at least six individuals.
The attack on Sana’s airport, which serves as a vital connection for over 20 million Yemenis living in Houthi territories, aims to respond to the Houthis’ increasing hostilities—who have claimed their missile strikes are acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Prior to the airstrike, the Israeli Defense Forces had warned of imminent action through social media, urging civilians to evacuate the airport vicinity. Following the missile incident in Israel, multiple airlines suspended flights as the Israeli government promised retaliatory measures.
In a rapid succession of strikes, Israeli jets targeted the port city of Hudaydah on the night following the missile launch, resulting in collateral damage and casualties, with local health authorities reporting several deaths and injuries. The Houthis have since proclaimed an "air blockade" on Israel, vowing to continue targeting its airports.
The ongoing interplay between these regional powers continues to draw international attention, with implications for the broader conflict landscape in the Middle East.
Aaron Boxerman is a reporter covering Israel and Gaza for the Times from Jerusalem. Vivian Nereim is the lead reporter for Times covering the Arabian Peninsula, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The attack on Sana’s airport, which serves as a vital connection for over 20 million Yemenis living in Houthi territories, aims to respond to the Houthis’ increasing hostilities—who have claimed their missile strikes are acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Prior to the airstrike, the Israeli Defense Forces had warned of imminent action through social media, urging civilians to evacuate the airport vicinity. Following the missile incident in Israel, multiple airlines suspended flights as the Israeli government promised retaliatory measures.
In a rapid succession of strikes, Israeli jets targeted the port city of Hudaydah on the night following the missile launch, resulting in collateral damage and casualties, with local health authorities reporting several deaths and injuries. The Houthis have since proclaimed an "air blockade" on Israel, vowing to continue targeting its airports.
The ongoing interplay between these regional powers continues to draw international attention, with implications for the broader conflict landscape in the Middle East.
Aaron Boxerman is a reporter covering Israel and Gaza for the Times from Jerusalem. Vivian Nereim is the lead reporter for Times covering the Arabian Peninsula, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
