A destroyed plane lies at Sanaa Airport after Israeli airstrikes, May 7, 2025. (Photo credit: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)
EPICSTORIAN — Yemeni authorities have placed the estimated damages at Sanaa Airport following a recent Israeli airstrike at approximately $500 million, highlighting the significant impact of the assault on the country’s aviation infrastructure.
According to reports, six aircraft were destroyed, three of which belonged to a local Yemeni airline.
The Israeli Air Force launched multiple coordinated strikes on Tuesday, targeting Sanaa International Airport, nearby power facilities, and a cement factory.
These attacks, part of Israel’s broader campaign against Houthi forces, involved dozens of fighter jets and more than 50 munitions, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
A widely circulated image from social media shows an aircraft engulfed in flames on the Sanaa Airport tarmac. The image, reportedly from May 6, 2025, depicts the moment an IDF missile struck the aircraft, causing a fiery explosion.
Military Activity Spanned Multiple Targets Across Sanaa
The Israeli military confirmed the strike was part of a continued effort to neutralize Houthi threats in Yemen. On Monday and earlier in January, similar aerial bombardments were carried out, focusing on critical Houthi military infrastructure.
The strike on Sanaa Airport was especially significant due to its symbolic and operational importance as a transport and logistics hub. Authorities say the assault caused extensive runway damage, rendered multiple terminals unusable, and crippled emergency response units stationed on-site.
Trump Announces U.S. Bombing Halt, Catches Israel Off Guard
In a surprise move, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would cease its bombing operations in Yemen, claiming an agreement had been reached with Houthi leaders to stop disrupting international shipping lanes in the Middle East.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump stated, “They said, ‘please don’t bomb us anymore and we’re not going to attack your ships.’” The announcement came just hours after Israeli jets had completed their airstrikes on Sanaa Airport and surrounding areas.
Sources quoted by The Jerusalem Post confirmed that Israel had not been briefed ahead of Trump’s declaration, raising concerns about strategic misalignment between U.S. and Israeli operations in the region.
Strategic Significance of Sanaa Airport in Regional Tensions
Sanaa Airport has long been a focal point in Yemen’s internal conflict and its broader role in regional proxy wars. The recent destruction of civilian and military infrastructure is expected to exacerbate Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, further isolating the country from much-needed international aid.
Also Read: Yemen Appoints Former Finance Minister Bin Braik as New Prime Minister
Local officials have called for immediate assistance to rebuild the airport, with the Ministry of Transport stating, “This level of destruction will take years to recover from, and without urgent foreign support, Yemen’s air travel capabilities will remain paralyzed.”
