In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israeli airstrikes rendered Sanaa International Airport in Yemen inoperable on May 6, 2025. The strikes marked one of the most significant Israeli military operations on Yemeni soil in recent years and signaled a growing confrontation between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. These developments come amid a broader regional backdrop of war, power struggles, and humanitarian crises, further intensifying the Middle East's already volatile landscape.

The Attack: What Happened

According to multiple sources, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched a series of precision airstrikes that struck several critical sections of the Sanaa airport. The runway was bombed, halting all inbound and outbound flights. The departure hall sustained extensive damage, and three civilian aircraft parked on the tarmac were also hit. Additionally, airstrikes targeted the adjacent al-Dailami Air Base, a known Houthi military installation.

The IDF issued a statement shortly after the operation, claiming that the airport was being used to transfer weapons and military personnel aligned with the Houthi insurgency. 

"We targeted infrastructure used by terrorist operatives supported by Iran. This is part of our commitment to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians from cross-border threats," the statement read.

The Catalyst: Houthi Missile Attack on Israel

The Israeli strikes were not unprovoked. Just two days earlier, on May 4, the Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile that struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, located outside Tel Aviv. Although the missile did not cause fatalities, it injured several individuals and led to a temporary suspension of flight operations. This marked the first time a missile originating from Yemeni territory reached so deep into Israeli territory, demonstrating a new level of capability by the Houthis.

The Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, has taken a vehemently anti-Israel stance, especially since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The group has declared solidarity with Hamas and Iran-backed Shiite militias, claiming that their missile and drone attacks are in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have killed thousands, including civilians and children.

Strategic Significance of Sanaa Airport

Sanaa International Airport, while primarily a civilian facility, holds immense strategic value. Located in Yemen’s capital, which is under Houthi control, the airport doubles as a logistics hub for military and paramilitary operations. Over the years, it has reportedly been used to smuggle weapons, including precision-guided missiles and drones, supplied by Iran and Hezbollah operatives.

Its adjacency to the al-Dailami Air Base only amplifies its importance. This dual-use infrastructure has been the target of previous Saudi-led coalition bombings during Yemen’s protracted civil war, but Israeli strikes on Yemeni territory mark a significant expansion of direct Israeli military engagement.

Casualties and Damage

According to Houthi-controlled health ministries, at least seven people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes, with more than 70 injured. Local media reported that emergency services struggled to reach the scene due to debris and the fear of secondary strikes. Eyewitnesses described the strikes as "unrelenting," with multiple waves targeting different parts of the airport complex.

In addition to the destruction of airport infrastructure, the strikes reportedly hit a power station and a cement factory in the nearby port city of Hodeida, further crippling logistics and daily life in Houthi-held areas. These coordinated attacks appear to be part of Israel's strategy to disrupt the Houthi military's supply chains and operational bases.

Houthi Response and Retaliation

The Houthi leadership, unsurprisingly, condemned the strikes. In a televised address, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree vowed a "firm and retaliatory" response, reiterating their commitment to continue operations against Israel and its allies unless the siege on Gaza is lifted. “We will not cease our attacks until Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people ends and humanitarian corridors are opened,” Saree said.

The Houthis also launched another wave of drones towards Israel and Red Sea shipping lanes, although most were intercepted by Israeli and allied air defence systems.

Regional Repercussions

The Israeli airstrikes have drawn sharp reactions from across the region. Iran, a primary backer of the Houthi rebels, called the strikes an “unprovoked act of war,” warning that any further escalation could ignite a wider regional conflict. Hezbollah in Lebanon also issued a statement expressing support for the Houthis and denouncing Israeli “aggression.”

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, which has itself fought a brutal war against the Houthis since 2015, remained largely silent—possibly indicating cautious approval or, at the very least, unwillingness to criticise Israeli efforts to weaken their shared adversary.

The United Nations expressed concern over the rising tensions and the impact on Yemeni civilians, who are already suffering from famine, disease outbreaks, and lack of access to medical care. UN special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called for restraint and renewed peace talks.

The Bigger Picture: Israel’s Expanding Battlefront

The Israeli attack on Yemen is part of a broader shift in Israel’s defence posture. Traditionally focused on threats from Lebanon (Hezbollah), Syria, and Gaza (Hamas), Israel now finds itself fending off a coordinated axis of Iranian proxies—including the Houthis in Yemen and Shiite militias in Iraq.

The current war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023, has morphed into a regional proxy war. From missile attacks on Israel to strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, the conflict has spilt far beyond its original epicentre. Israel’s willingness to strike Houthi targets hundreds of miles away reflects both its technological reach and growing frustration with what it sees as unchecked Iranian expansionism.

A Fragile Future

The disabling of Sanaa International Airport is more than just a tactical military move—it’s a statement. Israel is signaling that it will not tolerate cross-border threats, regardless of their origin. At the same time, the Houthis’ increasing willingness to engage directly with Israel showcases the expanding scope of this Middle Eastern conflict.

Yemen, already a war-torn nation grappling with a humanitarian catastrophe, now finds itself further entrenched in the wider geopolitical showdown between Israel, Iran, and their respective allies. For civilians in Sanaa and beyond, these airstrikes represent another chapter of violence in a saga that shows no signs of ending.

As the dust settles on the runway of Sanaa’s bombed-out airport, the message is clear: the lines of battle in the Middle East are shifting. And with each new strike, the pat.

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