WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Narrowly Escapes Airstrike in Yemen
BY PC Bureau
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus narrowly avoided an aerial attack at Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport on Thursday, which killed at least two people and injured a plane crew member.
Tedros, along with United Nations (UN) and WHO colleagues, was preparing to board a flight when the Israeli military launched an air offensive. The attack caused significant damage to the airport, including the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway.
In a post on X, the WHO chief Ghebreyesus said as they were about to board our flight from Sana’a, the airport came under aerial bombardment. While one of the plane’s crew members was injured. At least two people were reported killed at the airport.
Our mission to negotiate the release of @UN staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in #Yemen concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees' immediate release.
As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport… pic.twitter.com/riZayWHkvf
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 26, 2024
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike, calling for adherence to international law and emphasizing that civilians and humanitarian workers must never be targeted.
The Israeli military confirmed targeting Sanaa airport as well as military infrastructure at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib on Yemen’s west coast. Power stations in Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib were also hit.
Israel attacked one of the POOREST Countries in the World for CRIPPLING their Economy and Standing Up for Palestine
Israeli air raids have caused a massive fire at Yemen's Hudaida port.
Yemen Did Not Even Flinch ✊ pic.twitter.com/dDH6VVjFCs
— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) December 26, 2024
Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV reported two deaths at the airport and one at the port strikes, with 11 additional injuries. The Houthis, who have launched drone and missile attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have yet to comment on the incident.
Following the strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Channel 14, “We are just getting started with them,” signaling an escalation in Israel’s campaign against the Houthis.
