Israeli airstrikes force closure of Sana'a airport amid conflict
The Israeli air force conducted a series of airstrikes on Yemen, leading to the closure of the airport in Sana'a. The attack was a response to earlier actions by the Houthi rebels.
What do you need to know?
- The international airport in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, has been closed indefinitely due to damage caused by Israeli airstrikes.
- The Israeli air force targeted Houthi rebel positions, including the airport in Sana'a, in response to a previous ballistic missile strike by the Houthis on Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
- Israeli army spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee confirmed that the airstrikes were a reaction to the Houthi attack.
Why was the airport in Sana'a closed?
The international airport in Sana'a, Yemen's capital, suspended operations after the Israeli air force launched airstrikes against Houthi rebel targets.
The attacks caused significant damage to the airport's infrastructure, rendering further operations impossible. The airport administration announced it would neither accept arrivals nor allow departures, resulting in a total standstill of air traffic in the region.
What were the reasons for the Israeli airstrikes?
The Israeli air force's strikes were in response to a Sunday Houthi ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Israeli army spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee stated that these actions were necessary to counter the Houthi rebels' aggression.
Israeli forces concentrated their attacks on strategic targets, including the international airport in Sana'a, which plays a key role for the rebels.
Houthis support the Palestinian Hamas fight against Israel
The Houthis, deemed a terrorist organization by the West, are part of the "Axis of Resistance" supported by Iran. Since war erupted in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, they have carried out over 100 attacks on commercial ships off Yemen's coast, supporting Palestinian Hamas in its fight against Israel. The group continues rocket and drone attacks on Israel, though most missiles are intercepted. Israel has previously executed five strikes on the Houthis, including one at the port of Hudaydah.
Since early 2024, the US has spearheaded a coalition tasked with defending freedom of navigation against Houthi attacks. In mid-March, President Donald Trump announced a new offensive to intensify airstrikes on this group.
Shortly before the Israeli airstrike, Yemeni media reported another US attack on the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana'a.
