Israel Destroys Yemen’s Last Civilian Airliner in Sana’a Amid Escalating Strikes
In its tenth airstrike on Yemen since the Gaza war began, Israel targets and destroys the last operational Yemenia aircraft in Sana’a International Airport, prompting Houthi vows to continue retaliatory attacks.
Watan-On Wednesday, Israel destroyed the last remaining aircraft of Yemenia Airways operating at Sana’a International Airport, according to a statement by the Israeli military, which was later confirmed by the Houthi movement. This marks Israel’s tenth airstrike on Yemen since the start of its war on Gaza in late 2023.
In its statement, the Israeli army said it “carried out an airstrike on aerial assets belonging to the Houthi system at Sana’a Airport.” Attempting to justify striking a civilian aviation facility, the army alleged that the Houthis had used these aircraft to transport fighters involved in attacks against Israel.
Israel further claimed that Sana’a Airport is regularly used by the Houthis for hostile purposes.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israeli air force jets targeted and completely destroyed the last aircraft used by the Houthis.
Footage shared online showed the aftermath at Sana’a International Airport, with visible damage to the runway and the destroyed aircraft.
من مطار صنعاء الدولي بعد أن استهدفه الاحتلال وقصف المدرج والطائرة الأخيرة المتبقية بالمطار. pic.twitter.com/sBVJDsK7wS
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) May 28, 2025
Under the operation code-named “Golden Jewel,” Gallant warned that “anyone who fires on Israel will pay a heavy price.” He added that Yemeni ports would continue to be severely damaged, and Sana’a Airport would be repeatedly destroyed, along with other strategic infrastructure used by the Houthi movement and its allies.
He further announced that the Houthis would now face a “complete naval and aerial blockade,” reiterating prior threats: “Those who attack us will be hit sevenfold.”
On their part, the Houthi movement confirmed the Israeli strike. Khaled Al-Shaif, director of Sana’a Airport, posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Zionist enemy targeted and completely destroyed the last operational aircraft of Yemenia Airways at Sana’a International Airport.”
The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV reported that four Israeli airstrikes targeted the airport’s runway and the Yemenia aircraft.
This marks Israel’s tenth airstrike on Yemen since October 7, 2023, and the fourth since the resumption of its Gaza war on March 18, 2025, after a 60-day pause, according to Israeli media.
So far, Israeli strikes on Yemen have repeatedly targeted cement factories, power stations, seaports, and Sana’a Airport, with no expansion to new targets.
Meanwhile, Israeli media have highlighted rising internal criticism over the effectiveness of these strikes, as they have failed to deter the Houthis or halt their attacks.
العدو الصهيوني يستهدف أخر طائرة من طائرات الخطوط الجوية اليمنية العاملة في مطار صنعاء الدولي ويدمرها بشكل كامل pic.twitter.com/y2PwQqmonf
— Khaled alshaief خالد الشايف (@KAlshaief) May 28, 2025
Just Tuesday night, the Houthis claimed 22 military operations targeting Israel since the beginning of May, calling it the “most painful month” for Tel Aviv.
The most recent Houthi operation, announced Tuesday, involved a “double strike” on Lod Airport and a strategic site in occupied Jaffa.
The Houthi group has vowed to continue launching missiles at Israel for as long as it maintains its genocidal war on Gaza.
