Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA
Israel's military carried out a series of airstrikes on Yemen's Sanaa airport on May 6, 2025, significantly damaging the facility and claiming it was in retaliation for a missile launch by Houthi rebels that struck near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. The strikes destroyed three Yemenia Airlines planes and left significant infrastructure damage, rendering the airport "completely inoperable," according to Israeli military sources and Houthi reports. Eyewitnesses reported thick black smoke rising from the area following extensive bombardment targeting several locations, including power plants and a cement factory in Amran province, which led to further casualties, including reported injuries among civilians, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.
This operation marked a dramatic escalation in hostilities and a new phase of the conflict, following a Houthi missile that struck within the perimeter of Ben Gurion International Airport, leading to injuries and multiple flight cancellations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the offensive was a necessary response, emphasizing that such attacks against Israel would provoke retaliatory actions. The Israeli Air Force reportedly used up to 50 bombs in this operation, demonstrating significant military capability despite some missiles launched by the Houthis bypassing Israeli defenses in previous encounters, as noted by sources such as BBC News and India Times.
The Houthi response has been resolute, declaring that they will continue their operations as part of their stance in support of Palestine amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. Al-Masirah, the Houthi-controlled media outlet, has consistently reported both on the strikes themselves and any retaliatory measures that may ensue, reinforcing their narrative against Israel's military actions in Yemen, which they perceive as part of a larger conflict. The Iranian-backed group has reiterated threats of a more comprehensive aerial blockade against Israel, which they intend to operationalize through continuous missile assaults on Israeli airports. This situation has drawn concern from international observers, as the UN highlighted both military escalations as a serious risk to regional stability and peace, according to AA and HuffPost.