UN Chief Condemns Escalation in Yemen as Airstrikes Hit Sana’a Airport, Key Infrastructure
December 26, 2024
Sana’a, Yemen – The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has strongly condemned the recent escalation of violence in Yemen, including airstrikes that hit Sana’a International Airport and several key infrastructure targets.
On December 25, 2024, Houthi rebels launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities and military installations, causing significant damage. In response, the Saudi-led coalition carried out retaliatory airstrikes on targets in Yemen, including Sana’a Airport.
The airstrikes reportedly damaged the airport’s runway, terminal, and control tower, effectively shutting down the vital lifeline for humanitarian aid and commercial flights. Other targets hit include the Port of Hodeidah, a critical hub for food and fuel imports, and the Al-Mukalla International Airport in southeastern Yemen.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Guterres said he was “deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Yemen and its devastating humanitarian consequences.” He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to engage in dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The Yemeni government expressed outrage over the airstrikes, accusing the Houthi rebels of provoking the escalation. The Houthi movement, however, claimed it had acted in self-defense after the Saudi coalition’s attacks on their territory.
The escalation of violence has sparked international alarm and raised fears of a wider regional conflict. Neighboring countries, including Oman and Kuwait, have called for de-escalation and urged all parties to prioritize diplomacy.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, said the airstrikes had “a devastating impact on the civilian population.” He warned that the closure of Sana’a Airport would further impede the delivery of humanitarian aid to millions of people in need.
The conflict in Yemen has been ongoing since 2014, when the Houthi rebel group, backed by Iran, seized control of large parts of the country, including the capital, Sana’a. The Saudi-led coalition, supported by the United States and other Western countries, has been fighting to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
The war has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with millions of people facing starvation, disease, and displacement. The UN estimates that over 377,000 people have died in Yemen since the conflict began, with the majority of casualties being civilians.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and political solution have repeatedly failed, and the conflict shows little sign of abating. The recent escalation is a major setback to the ongoing peace efforts and raises serious concerns about the future stability of Yemen and the region.
UN chief condemns escalation in Yemen as airstrikes hit Sana’a Airport, key infrastructure
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