WHO Chief Narrowly Escapes Israeli Strikes On Yemen Airport

WHO Chief Tedros narrowly escapes death in Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa Airport. Learn about the humanitarian impact and his mission to the war-torn country.

WHO Chief Narrowly Survives Israeli Strikes on Yemen’s Sanaa Airport

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, narrowly avoided death during Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen on Thursday. Speaking to BBC Radio, Tedros recounted the chaotic events and underscored the importance of respecting international laws protecting civilian infrastructure.

Chaotic Scene During the Strikes

Tedros described the terrifying moments when explosions occurred as he prepared to board a flight. The strikes targeted the departure lounge and control tower, leaving the area in complete disarray.

“We heard a heavy explosion nearby,” Tedros said. “The sound was so loud, so deafening. My ears are still ringing more than 24 hours later. It’s by sheer luck we survived—if the missile deviated slightly, it could have been catastrophic.”

The strikes left four people dead and 20 injured, according to Houthi officials. Civilians scattered in panic as there was no immediate shelter, further emphasizing the vulnerability of those present.

Mission to Yemen Amid Conflict

Tedros was in Yemen on a mission from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to address the humanitarian crisis and advocate for the release of detained UN staff. He stressed that the Sanaa airport, a civilian facility serving humanitarian purposes, should not have been targeted.

“Civilian installations are protected under international law,” Tedros emphasized. “Whether I was there or not is irrelevant. These laws must be respected to safeguard lives.”

Israel’s Response and Background

Israel confirmed the strikes, labeling them as targeting Houthi military installations following missile attacks launched toward Israel. This marks the second such strike in Yemen since December 19. However, Tedros pointed out that the airport was full of civilians and civilian aircraft at the time of the attack.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Tedros shared videos from the incident, expressing gratitude to airport staff and colleagues who shielded him during the chaos. He and his team later flew to safety in Jordan.

“My heart goes out to those who face such dangers daily—colleagues on the front lines and innocent civilians,” he wrote.

Key Takeaways

The airstrikes on Sanaa Airport killed four civilians and injured 20 others.
Tedros highlighted the critical need to protect civilian infrastructure during conflicts.
The attack raises questions about adherence to international humanitarian laws.