WHO Chief’s Close Call During Israeli Airstrikes in Yemen

In an interview, the WHO director general underscores the risks faced by civilians and humanitarian efforts in Yemen.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), revealed he and his team narrowly escaped death during an Israeli airstrike on an airport in Yemen. The attack occurred on Thursday as they were departing Sanaa, following discussions about the release of UN detainees and humanitarian assessments. In a discussion with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Dr. Tedros described the scene of chaos during the strikes, which resulted in the death of at least six individuals.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the targeted airport was purportedly being used by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for military operations, including smuggling weapons and receiving senior Iranian officials. Dr. Tedros expressed his concern regarding attacks on civilian infrastructure, affirming that the public knowledge of his presence does not justify targeting such facilities. He stated, "It doesn't matter whether I'm there or not. Any civilian life is life - my life is not better than another human being."

The airstrikes reportedly injured numerous individuals, with varied reports on casualties from both the Houthi-run Saba news agency, which claimed the airport attacks killed three and injured thirty, to the IDF framing the actions within the context of continued Houthi aggression against Israel, particularly since the onset of conflict in October 2023. Houthi missile strikes have escalated, illustrating the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict that began with attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants.

The Houthi rebels condemned the airstrikes as "barbaric" and "aggressive," pledging to persist with counterstrikes until hostilities in Gaza cease, thus underscoring the intricate relationship between regional conflicts and civilian safety. Meanwhile, the WHO remains focused on humanitarian efforts amidst the backdrop of conflict, highlighting the precarious situation facing both health officials and civilians in war-torn regions like Yemen.