Israel Strikes Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport in Retaliation for Houthi Attack

Sanaa, Yemen – On May 6, 2025, Israeli airstrikes hit Sanaa International Airport, severely damaging its infrastructure and rendering the facility inoperable. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in regional tensions as Israel responds to recent missile strikes launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

According to Israeli defense officials, the strikes specifically targeted sections of the airport used by Houthi forces for military operations, including the runway, departure terminals, and a nearby air base under militia control. Civilian aircraft were reportedly damaged during the strike.

The airstrikes follow a Houthi missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv just two days earlier, which caused minor injuries and disrupted flights. In response, Israel issued warnings to civilians around Sanaa airport, urging them to evacuate before the strikes commenced.

“This is a necessary and proportionate response to continued aggression against Israeli civilians,” said a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

This marks the second consecutive day of Israeli military action in Yemen. On May 5, Israel launched airstrikes in Hodeidah province, targeting key infrastructure, including a port facility and industrial sites.

The Houthis, who have aligned themselves with Iran and voiced support for Hamas amid the conflict in Gaza, have repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks against Israel since October 2023.

While international concern grows over the intensifying conflict, regional analysts warn that these escalations could provoke broader instability across the Middle East.