On Boxing Day, a heart-stopping incident unfolded at Sanaa International Airport in Yemen, narrowly averting a potential tragedy for World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. As Dr. Ghebreyesus prepared to depart following a mission to Yemen, an Israeli airstrike targeted the airport, sending the WHO chief and his team scrambling for safety. Footage released by Al-Masirah TV station, affiliated with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, captured the tense moments before the strike. Dr. Ghebreyesus can be seen seated in a waiting area, moments before his security detail abruptly urges him to his feet. The video then shows the Director-General, arm-in-arm with two security personnel, being swiftly escorted away. Subsequent footage reveals the devastating impact of the Israeli missile strike on the airport’s control tower. Debris is shown flying through the air amidst a thick plume of smoke rising from the targeted structure. Another clip depicts a UN World Food Programme plane sitting stationary on the runway just seconds before the missile impacts the control tower. The aftermath reveals an injured individual lying on the ground, highlighting the chaotic and dangerous situation.
Dr. Ghebreyesus described the experience as “chaotic,” recalling the scene of people running in disarray. He emphasized the precarious nature of their situation, stating that they were completely exposed with no shelter available. The WHO chief expressed his belief that his survival was a matter of luck, noting that a slight deviation in the missile’s trajectory could have resulted in a direct hit. He recounted how a colleague remarked that they had “narrowly escaped death.” Dr. Ghebreyesus criticized the targeting of a civilian airport and another UN official expressed alarm over the strikes. The incident underscored the volatile security situation in Yemen and the risks faced by humanitarian workers operating in the conflict zone.
The purpose of Dr. Ghebreyesus’s visit to Yemen was multifaceted. He sought to negotiate the release of detained WHO staff members and assess the health and humanitarian situation in the war-torn nation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the WHO Director-General revealed that one of his plane’s crew members was injured in the attack. He detailed the damage sustained by the airport, including the air traffic control tower, the departure lounge, and the runway. The damage necessitated a delay in their departure until repairs could be made. Dr. Ghebreyesus reiterated his call for the immediate release of the detained staff members, highlighting the organization’s ongoing commitment to their welfare.
The Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels came amidst escalating tensions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning, stating that Israel was “just getting started” with the Houthis and would continue to strike them until they learned their lesson. He compared the situation to previous conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria, suggesting that the Houthis would face a similar fate if they persisted in attacking Israel. The strikes targeted several locations, including Sanaa International Airport, the nearby Hezyaz power plant, and terror bases in Hodeida, Salif, and Ras Qantib ports. Footage of the aftermath showed the Ras Kutaib power station in Hodeida engulfed in flames. Netanyahu’s strong words reflected Israel’s determination to respond forcefully to perceived threats from the Houthi rebels.
The broader context of the airstrikes involved a missile launch from Yemen, located approximately 1,000 miles from Israel. Israeli forces intercepted the missile, adding to the already heightened tensions. The strikes represent a significant escalation of Israeli military action against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The targeting of the airport, while Dr. Ghebreyesus and his team were present, underscores the risks faced by international organizations operating in conflict zones and highlights the complex interplay of geopolitical forces in the region. The incident also raised concerns about the safety of civilian infrastructure and the potential for further escalation of the conflict.
The near-miss experienced by Dr. Ghebreyesus and his team at Sanaa International Airport serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones. The incident also sheds light on the ongoing conflict in Yemen and the complex regional dynamics at play. The strong response from Israel, coupled with the Houthi missile launch, raises concerns about the potential for further escalation and the humanitarian consequences for the Yemeni people. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and for the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel. The incident involving Dr. Ghebreyesus further emphasizes the urgent need for a de-escalation of hostilities and a renewed focus on finding a lasting solution to the Yemen crisis.
