In brief
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israeli fighter jets bombed Yemen's main airport in Sana as tensions with the Iran-backed Houthi militia rise, particularly after they launched a missile close to Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport.
Israeli fighter jets have struck the main international airport in Sana, Yemen, following a recent ballistic missile fired by the Houthi militia that landed near Israel's principal airport, Ben-Gurion. This attack, confirmed by the Israeli military on Tuesday, marks a continuing pattern of aggression between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthis, who have launched numerous rockets and drones at Israel in a self-styled campaign of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Though the full extent of damage at Sana's airport remains unclear, the facility is crucial for over 20 million Yemenis living in Houthi-controlled regions, linking them to international destinations. Prior to the airstrikes, the Israeli military had issued warnings on social media demanding the evacuation of the airport area.On Sunday, the Houthis' missile managed to breach Israeli air defenses, striking close enough to Ben-Gurion Airport to injure at least six individuals and prompt multiple airlines to cancel flights. In retaliation, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port city of Hudaydah and a concrete factory nearby, resulting in casualties—at least four reported dead and over 30 injured.In response to the attack on their missile facilities, the Houthis have declared an "air blockade" against Israel, threatening ongoing missile strikes on Israeli airports. The escalating conflict reflects the heightened military interaction in an already volatile region, raising concerns over civilian safety and stability.Aaron Boxerman, a Times reporter based in Jerusalem, and Vivian Nereim, a lead reporter from Riyadh, have both contributed to covering the rapid developments in this situation.
