Tensions in the Middle East escalated further after the Israeli military launched a devastating airstrike on Yemen’s main airport in Sanaa on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
The attack, the second in as many days, targeted Iran-aligned Houthi rebels after they fired missiles near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
According to Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, the latest Israeli strike killed three people at the airport.
Yemenia Airways Confirms Massive Loss
In a dramatic statement, Yemenia Airways announced that three of its aircraft had been completely destroyed during the airstrike.
The models destroyed were:
- A320: 7O-AFA
- A320: 7O-AFC
- A330: 7O-AFE
The airline stated:
The Israeli bombing of Sana’a Airport destroyed three aircraft that had been hijacked by the militia. We hold the militia responsible for the destruction and the resulting devastating losses.
Yemenia stressed that the loss of the planes represented a huge financial blow and deepens the challenges faced by the airline amid Yemen’s ongoing crisis.
Background: Houthi Attack Near Israel
The Israeli strikes came in direct retaliation for a missile attack launched by Houthi militants, which reportedly targeted areas close to Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international hub.
While no casualties were reported in Israel, the attempted attack heightened already volatile tensions across the region.
Israeli defense officials have vowed to retaliate against any groups threatening their territory, and Tuesday’s airstrike is seen as part of that broader security strategy.
Broader Context: Growing Regional Unrest
The strikes mark a worrying escalation in Middle East instability, with fears growing over the spread of conflict beyond Israel and Gaza to Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria.
Diplomatic efforts by international powers to calm the situation have so far failed, with the United Nations warning of a “dangerous spillover” effect across the region.
