In brief
Israeli airstrikes have inflicted severe damage on Yemen's main airport, intensifying the conflict amidst ongoing tensions in the region.
Israeli warplanes conducted another airstrike on Yemen's primary international airport on May 28, 2025, in retaliation for escalating missile attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi militia. This marked the second assault on the airport within the month, aimed at curtailing the Houthi's missile capabilities. Earlier this month, a significant Israeli airstrike devastated the airport serving Sana, the capital of Yemen, disrupting flights for over a week. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reported that the latest strike obliterated the last operational aircraft used by the Houthi government. Airport director Khaled al-Shaief confirmed the destruction and shared images of the incident, showcasing emergency teams battling the resulting blaze.The Sana airport plays a critical role for more than 20 million Yemenis residing in Houthi-controlled territories, delivering essential medical services and humanitarian aid. The Houthis, who govern much of northwestern Yemen, have recently escalated their military operations against Israel, launching rockets and drones since October 2023, aimed at expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This military action solidifies their position within Iran's broad network of proxy militias throughout the Middle East.As the conflict escalates, sirens were activated across Israel this past week due to incoming missile alerts, with the Israeli military asserting that all incoming missiles were intercepted successfully.
