On December 26, 2024, Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s primary airport in Sanaa as a civilian Airbus A320, carrying hundreds of passengers, was in the process of landing. At the time of the attack, a U.N. delegation, including the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was in the airport’s VIP lounge. The airstrikes, which occurred in broad daylight, posed a significant threat to the safety of those at the airport, though fortunately, the aircraft was able to land safely, and all passengers disembarked without fatalities.
Julien Harneis, the U.N.’s top humanitarian official in Yemen, recounted the harrowing experience in a news conference, emphasizing the near-miss nature of the incident. “The most frightening aspect wasn’t the immediate danger to us in the lounge but the potential for much greater harm,” Harneis stated. He described the proximity of the strikes, with one hitting approximately 300 meters to the south of the VIP area and another 300 meters to the north, around 4:45 p.m. These airstrikes occurred while a group of U.N. personnel was outside the building.
According to Harneis, there was no prior warning or indication of potential attacks, and the U.N. team could not recall the last time airstrikes had taken place in Sanaa during daylight hours. The airstrikes resulted in at least three confirmed fatalities and dozens of injuries, including a crew member from the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service. The injured crew member sustained serious leg injuries from shrapnel and required immediate medical attention.
Following the attacks, U.N. security personnel swiftly evacuated the delegation from the VIP building, relocating them to five armored vehicles. They remained in the vehicles for approximately 40 minutes as the situation was assessed and to provide assistance to the injured crew member.
The attack highlights the ongoing volatility in Yemen, which continues to experience intense conflict despite efforts toward peace and humanitarian assistance. The U.N. has called for an immediate investigation into the airstrikes and stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers in the region.
Recent Random Post:
