Jerusalem\/Sanaa, May 28 (EFE).\u2014The Israeli military said Wednesday that it had struck the Sanaa International airport and targeted aircraft belonging to Yemen\u2019s Houthi rebels, marking a significant escalation in Middle East tensions.<\/p>
\u201cThe aircraft that were attacked were used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transport terrorists who promoted terrorist acts against the state of Israel,\u201d a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.<\/p>
Khaled al-Shaief, director of the Houthi-controlled airport, confirmed the strike via his X account.<\/p>
\u201cThe Zionist enemy targeted the last Yemenia Airlines plane operating at the Sanaa International Airport and completely destroyed it,\u201d al-Shaief wrote.<\/p>
He posted an image showing a plane engulfed in flames as emergency crews battled to extinguish the fire.<\/p>
This marks the fourth Yemenia Airways aircraft destroyed by Israeli strikes on the airport.<\/p>
The IDF claimed the airfield is regularly used by the Houthis, as are the strategic Red Sea ports of Al Salif and Al Hodeida, which were also targeted by Israeli forces last week.<\/p>
\u201cThis is yet another example of the Houthi terrorist organization\u2019s exploitation of civilian infrastructure,\u201d the Israeli military said.<\/p>
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the airstrike and issued a stern warning. \u201c\u201cThis is a clear message and a direct continuation of the policy we established: Whoever fires at the state of Israel will pay a heavy price.\u201d<\/p>
The airstrike follows renewed Houthi missile launches targeting Israel, which resumed after the collapse of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip at the end of March.<\/p>
In recent weeks, the Houthis have claimed multiple missile attacks on Tel Aviv\u2019s Ben Gurion Airport, one of which reportedly struck the facility, marking the first successful direct hit since Israel\u2019s military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023.<\/p>
Meanwhile, Houthi authorities maintained an evacuation alert for the Sanaa International Airport, fearing additional Israeli strikes.<\/p>
According to security sources from Yemenia Airways, \u201ca second evacuation is underway,\u201d and journalists were urged to stay away from the area amid concerns of further attacks. EFE<\/p>
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