‘I saw the blood on the tarmac’: top UN official in Yemen recounts aftermath of Israel airstrike on civilian airport
27 December 2024
A top United Nations official in Yemen has recounted the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a civilian airport in the country, saying he saw “blood on the tarmac” and “bodies everywhere”.
The airstrike, which took place on 25 December, targeted the Sana’a International Airport, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more.
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, visited the airport on Tuesday and spoke to survivors of the attack.
“I saw the blood on the tarmac,” Griffiths said. “I saw bodies everywhere. It was a horrific scene.”
Griffiths said the attack was “a clear violation of international law” and called for an independent investigation.
“This attack must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Griffiths said. “The perpetrators must be held accountable.”
The Israeli government has not yet commented on the attack. However, it has previously said that it has the right to defend itself against attacks from Yemen.
The airstrike comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Israel and Iran have been engaged in a shadow war for years, and the conflict in Yemen has added to the regional instability.
The UN has called for a ceasefire in Yemen and a return to peace talks. However, peace efforts have been hampered by the ongoing conflict and the lack of trust between the warring parties.
The airstrike on the Sana’a International Airport is a major setback for peace efforts in Yemen. It is likely to further escalate tensions in the region and make it more difficult to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
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