Israeli forces launched multiple air raids on Sanaa International Airport on Wednesday, destroying the last remaining Yemenia Airways civilian aircraft at the facility, according to Iran's IRNA news agency.
The strikes come just 10 days after limited operations resumed at the airport, which had been shuttered following Israeli bombardment in early May.
“The Zionist enemy targeted the last operating Yemenia Airways aircraft at Sanaa International Airport and destroyed it,” said Khaled Al-Shayef, the airport's director general. He added that Israeli aircraft had carried out 30 direct airstrikes on May 6, devastating civilian terminals, infrastructure, and both runways.
The Israeli military said it was targeting “aerial components belonging to the terrorist Houthi regime.” In a post on X, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed that the Houthis had used civilian aviation infrastructure to transport operatives planning attacks against Israel.
Israel bombs Sanaa International Airport. May 28, 2025.“The Houthi terrorist regime has continuously exploited civilian infrastructure, including Sanaa Airport, for military purposes,” Adraee said.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen including Sanaa, have not responded to Wednesday's attack. However, the group said Tuesday it had launched a “dual military operation” targeting Lod Airport—known as Ben Gurion Airport—with a Palestine-2 hypersonic missile, and another undisclosed target near Tel Aviv using a Zolfaghar ballistic missile.
“We will harm whoever harms us,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on the strikes. “The Houthis are merely a symptom. The real engine behind them is Iran, which is responsible for the aggression emanating from Yemen.”
Since Nov. 19, 2023, Houthi forces have fired missiles toward Israeli targets and disrupted shipping in the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel's war on Gaza. At the time, the group declared Israeli ships to be legitimate targets.
Israel bombs Sanaa International Airport. May 28, 2025.They halted operations after a ceasefire took effect in Gaza this January but resumed them in March when Israeli attacks resumed. The group has since linked its attacks to a demand for an end to the war and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Earlier this month, the Houthis also declared a naval blockade on the Israeli port of Haifa in response to Israel's escalation in Gaza.
