LONDON — Israel launched airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport in the Yemeni capital on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, warning of the possibility of further attacks on the Iran-backed Houthi movement that controls the area.
The main driving force behind them is Iran, which is responsible for the aggression emanating from Yemen,” Netanyahu continued.
The Houthis say their attacks are a protest of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
The IDF has previously bombed the airport in Sana’a in December 2024 and earlier this month.
“Accordingly, we announce to the Yemeni and international public opinion the complete (temporary) suspension of Yemenia Airlines flights from Sana’a International Airport until further notice,” the statement continued.
LONDON — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of potential future attacks on the Houthi movement, which is backed by Iran and controls the region, after Israel launched airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport in the Yemeni capital on Wednesday.
“We operate under the straightforward principle: If someone hurts us, we hurt them,” Netanyahu stated in a statement that his office uploaded to X. “Anyone who did not grasp this with force will now grasp it with even more force. “,”.
However, as I have stated repeatedly, the Houthis are merely the symptom. Iran, which is in charge of the aggression coming from Yemen, is the primary motivator behind them,” Netanyahu added.
Since Hamas’ deadly surprise attack on Israel in October, the Houthis have been attacking regional shipping and firing missiles and drones toward Israel. 7, 2023. . According to the Houthis, their attacks are a form of protest against Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces have responded by attacking various targets in Yemen, which is under Houthi control. The airport in Sana’a was bombed by the IDF earlier this month and in December 2024.
The latest attack targeted “the central airport in Sana’a and an aircraft belonging to the Houthi terrorist organization,” the IDF said in a statement on Wednesday. “.
The IDF stated, “The Houthi terrorist regime used the attacked aircraft to transport terrorists who promoted terrorist acts against the state of Israel.”.
“The IDF is committed to acting and using force against anyone who threatens the citizens of the state of Israel, regardless of the distance needed,” the IDF declared.
Airlines in Yemen denounced the strike.
Yemenia Airlines said in a statement on Wednesday that “another Yemenia Airlines plane was directly and cowardly targeted this morning, just moments before the scheduled boarding of pilgrims.”. “The aircraft had obtained all required landing, operating, and takeoff permits from the appropriate authorities. “.
The statement went on, “Accordingly, we announce to the Yemeni and international public opinion the complete (temporary) suspension of Yemenia Airlines flights from Sana’a International Airport until further notice.”. “This is the outcome of this cowardly terrorist act that targeted a Yemeni civilian aircraft that belonged to a national company that has disassociated itself from all conflicts and is totally committed to providing impartial service to all of our honorable people. “,”.
Last month, in return for an end to the harsh U.S. sanctions, the Houthis agreed to stop attacking U.S. commercial shipping in the area. S. . President Donald Trump launched an offensive against them in March, using airstrikes.
The Houthis have since launched numerous drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel after claiming that the deal does not include halting their attacks on the country.
Guy Davies of ABC News contributed to this story.
