A series of Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's international airport in Sanaa on Thursday left at least six people dead and injured dozens, according to Houthi-run media. Among those present during the strikes was World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who said he and other United Nations staff were preparing to board a plane when the attacks occurred.

The airstrikes, described by the Houthi group as "barbaric," targeted several locations, including power stations, ports, and the Sanaa airport. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes were "intelligence-based" and aimed at "military targets" belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. However, it remains unclear whether the casualties were civilians or combatants.

Houthi-run Saba news agency reported three deaths and 30 injuries at the airport, while another three fatalities and ten injuries occurred in Hodeidah province. Witnesses at the airport described chaotic scenes, with multiple strikes hitting the runway and the air traffic control tower.

Dr. Tedros detailed the impact on social media, saying, “The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge, and the runway—just a few meters from where we were—were damaged. We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave.”

The WHO chief was in Yemen to negotiate the release of UN staff detainees and assess the country's health and humanitarian conditions, though details about the detainees remain undisclosed.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strikes, calling them “especially alarming” and expressing concerns about further regional escalation. Iranian officials also decried the strikes, labeling them a "clear violation of international peace and security."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the attacks, vowing to dismantle what he referred to as "the terror arm of the Iranian axis of evil." He added, “We are only just starting with [the Houthis].”

The airstrikes come amid increasing hostilities between the Houthis and Israel, with the Houthis launching missile attacks on Israeli territory since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. A missile strike from Yemen injured over a dozen people in Israel last week.

The IDF reported intercepting another missile early Friday before it entered Israeli territory. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned earlier this week of intensified action against the Houthis, pledging to "decapitate" their leadership.

The strikes also targeted key infrastructure, including power stations in Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib and ports along Yemen’s western coast. Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi condemned the attacks, linking them to broader conflicts in the region. He declared that "confrontations with American and Israeli arrogance will continue until the conflict in Gaza stops."

As tensions escalate, the humanitarian situation in Yemen, already dire due to years of war, faces further strain. The WHO and other international bodies continue to monitor the impact on civilians and critical infrastructure.

The global community now watches closely as the conflict risks drawing more players into a broader regional confrontation.