WHO Chief Tedros Narrowly Escapes Yemen Airstrike Amid Rising Tensions

Aerial attack at Sanaa International Airport kills two, injures one crew member; UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns escalation and urges restraint.

Sanaa [Yemen], December 27: World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus narrowly escaped an aerial bombardment at Sanaa International Airport on Thursday. The attack, which occurred while Tedros and his UN and WHO team were preparing to board a flight, resulted in two fatalities and left one crew member injured.

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In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Tedros recounted the harrowing experience:

“Our mission to negotiate the release of @UN staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in #Yemen concluded today. As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our plane’s crew members was injured. At least two people were reported killed at the airport. The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged. My UN and @WHO colleagues and I are safe. Our heartfelt condolences to the families whose loved ones lost their lives in the attack.”

Global Condemnation and Call for Restraint

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for adherence to international law and the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.

“The recent escalation between Yemen and Israel is deeply concerning. The airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, Red Sea ports, and power stations in Yemen have resulted in casualties and damage. All parties must immediately cease military actions and exercise restraint,” Guterres posted on X.

Reports suggest that the airstrikes led to at least three casualties and dozens more injured.

Israel’s Military Response

According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the Israeli Air Force carried out precision strikes targeting Houthi military infrastructure across western Yemen, including sites at Sanaa International Airport, power stations in Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib, and ports in Al-Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Kanatib.

The IDF stated that the targeted locations were being used for Houthi military operations, posing security threats to the region.

Humanitarian Concerns Escalate

The attack has raised significant humanitarian concerns, with damage to critical infrastructure and increasing risks to civilians and humanitarian workers. Efforts are now focused on assessing the damage and ensuring the safety of personnel on the ground.

As tensions escalate in the region, global leaders continue to call for immediate de-escalation and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further loss of life and suffering.