WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recounted a harrowing experience during an Israeli strike at Sanaa International Airport, saying he was not sure if he would survive the attack. The explosions were so intense that his ears still ring over a day later. A drone flew alarmingly close to where he was sitting, and he and colleagues were stuck for hours in exposed areas without shelter.
The strikes on Yemen came after Houthis fired drones and missiles toward Israel, claiming acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Three people died in the airport strike, three were killed in Hodeidah, and 40 others were wounded. Tedros expressed concern for global safety and urged world leaders to work together to end conflicts.
The WHO chief’s ordeal occurred as he traveled to Yemen over Christmas to negotiate the release of U.N. staff held captive by Houthis. He acknowledged knowing the trip was risky but deemed it necessary due to a brief window of opportunity. Tedros expressed surprise that civilian infrastructure was targeted and urged caution, saying “a civilian airport should be protected.”
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/who-says-crew-member-suffered-serious-injury-yemen-airport-strike-2024-12-27