WHO Chief Tedros Narrowly Escapes Deadly Bombardment at Yemen's Sanaa Airport

Sanaa, Yemen: On Thursday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus narrowly avoided a deadly aerial bombardment at Sanaa International Airport in Yemen. The attack killed two people and injured a member of the flight crew.

Tedros, along with colleagues from the United Nations and the World Health Organization, was preparing to board a flight after completing a mission aimed at negotiating the release of detained UN staff and assessing the ongoing health and humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the WHO chief shared the chilling details: "Our mission in Yemen concluded today. As we were about to board, the airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our crew members was injured. At least two people were killed, and the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway were damaged."

The attack came at a critical moment when international attention on Yemen’s plight is heightened. Tedros confirmed that all WHO and UN personnel are safe, extending condolences to the victims' families.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack and called for adherence to international law, emphasizing that humanitarian workers must never be targeted. Guterres also condemned the recent escalation of violence between Yemen and Israel and expressed deep concern over the continuing conflict in Yemen.

As damage assessments continue, air traffic at Sanaa Airport remains stalled, awaiting repairs to proceed.