The head of the World Health Organisation has revealed that a member of his crew was injured after the team were caught up in an Israeli strike at Yemen’s airport.
Israeli forces struck the airport in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa earlier today – killing at least two people.
Shocking footage from the inside the airport shows passengers rushing to escape the deadly air strike.
Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, was in the airport at the time of the aerial attack.
He was in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained staff and assess the health and humanitarian situation in the war torn country.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he has revealed that one of his plane’s crew members was injured.
Mr Ghebreyesus said: ‘As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa, 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.
Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus (pictured), the Director-General of the WHO, was in the airport at the time of the aerial attack
The aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on the Ras Kutaib power station. Israel has described today’s attacks as targeted strikes on ‘military infrastructure’ used by the Houthi rebels
Damage to Sanaa Airport’s control tower following Israeli air strikes. Israeli forces struck the airport killing at least two people
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the WHO chief has revealed that one of his plane’s crew members was injured
‘The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged. We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave.’
He added: ‘Our mission to negotiate the release of staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in Yemen concluded today.
‘We continue to call for the detainees’ immediate release.’
Israel has described today’s attacks as targeted strikes on ‘military infrastructure’ used by the Houthi rebels.
It comes after the Iran-backed group launched four ballistic missiles against Israel last week. One of which injured 16 people in Tel Aviv.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Prime Minister, told Parliament: ‘I have instructed our forces to destroy the infrastructure of Houthis because anyone who tries to harm us will be struck with full force.
‘We will continue to crush the forces of evil with strength and ingenuity, even if it takes time.’
The Times reported that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) had hit targets across western ports in Yemen as well as Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations.
The IDF has claimed the sites ‘were used by the Houthi terrorist regime to smuggle Iranian weapons into the region and for the entry of senior Iranian officials.’
Abandoned luggage inside the airport terminal
Broken glass at Sanaa airport. Mr Ghebreyesus said: ‘As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa, about two hours ago, the airport came under aerial bombardment’
Houthi rebels in Yemen. This is the fourth time Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Yemeni infrastructure since the Houthis began launching missiles at Israel following the October 7 attacks last year
Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured), Israel Prime Minister, told Parliament: ‘I have instructed our forces to destroy the infrastructure of Houthis because anyone who tries to harm us will be struck with full force
This is the fourth time Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Yemeni infrastructure since the Houthis began launching missiles at Israel following the October 7 attacks last year.
After continuous attacks on shipping passing through the Red Sea, US and UK forces have also launched strikes against the Houthis.
The Yemeni civil war has torn the country apart and for over a decade the Iran-back Houthis have been fighting the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
According the UN estimates over 300,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the conflict.
