Israel says it struck Yemen's main airport in Sanaa

MOHAMMED HUWAIS/ AFP

The Israeli military said it fired on Yemen's main airport on Tuesday and witnesses said there were four strikes in the capital Sanaa, the latest hostilities as tensions rise between Israel and Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Israel had earlier warned people to leave the area around Sanaa International Airport, one day after Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on Hodeidah port in Yemen in response to a Houthi missile landing near Israel's main air hub on Sunday.

"Not evacuating puts you in danger," the Israeli military said in its warning, and it published a map of the area surrounding the airport.

According to reports, Tuesday's strikes targeted three civilian airplanes, the departures hall, the airport runway and a military air base under Houthi control.

Tensions have been rising between Israel and the Houthis as the group presses on with attacks in response to Israel expanding its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthis said on Sunday they would impose a "comprehensive" aerial blockade on Israel by repeatedly targeting its airports.

The Israelis strikes around Hodeidah on Monday killed four people and wounded 39, the Houthi-run health ministry said.

There was no immediate word of casualties in Tuesday's hostilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate after a missile launched by Houthis landed near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, which led to European and US airlines cancelling flights.

The Houthis have been firing at Israel and shipping in the Red Sea since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians.

More from International News

  • American Cardinal Prevost elected new pope

    US Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff.

  • White smoke emerges, signalling new pope is elected

    White smoke appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday, signalling that the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals meeting in a secret conclave have elected a new pope.

  • Bill Gates to give away $200 billion by 2045

    Bill Gates has pledged to give away almost his entire personal wealth in the next two decades and said the world's poorest would receive some $200 billion via his foundation at a time when governments worldwide are slashing international aid.

  • Reports of explosions, blackout in India's Jammu

    Blasts rang out across the city of Jammu in Indian Kashmir late on Thursday during what Indian military sources said they suspected was a Pakistani drone attack on the second day of clashes between the two neighbours.

Blogs