Flights resume in Yemen as Sanaa airport recovers from Israeli airstrikes

Yemen's capital, Sanaa, saw a resumption of flights on May 17, 2025, following a significant interruption caused by Israeli airstrikes. These airstrikes occurred on May 6, 2025, targeting the Sanaa International Airport, which is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The assault led to widespread damage, destroying the airport's terminal and creating multiple craters on the runway, impeding all air traffic. The strikes were a response to a Houthi ballistic missile that had previously hit near Tel Aviv, temporarily halting operations at Ben-Gurion International Airport. The situation escalated as the Houthis have been actively targeting Israel throughout its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, increasing their visibility and influence both domestically and internationally. The Houthis’ missile and drone attacks on Israel have drawn substantial military responses, including recent strikes on Hodeida and Salif ports by the Israeli military, which targeted sites believed to be used for weapon transfers by the Houthis. The attacks also resulted in casualties, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, which reported at least one death and several injuries from the Israeli airstrikes. Following the recent Israeli air offensive, the Sanaa International Airport managed to resume operations on Saturday, marking a crucial step for the Iranian-backed rebels amidst ongoing military tensions. The first flight to land was operated by Yemenia, bringing 136 passengers from Jordan's capital, Amman. This marked a significant event after a week of disrupted travel because of the airstrikes. Additionally, three more flights were scheduled to operate the same day. The broader context surrounding these events shows the escalating hostilities between Israel and the Houthis, highlighting their ongoing military engagements and the complexities of their relationship with Iran. The U.S. military's involvement against the Houthis since March 2025 had added another layer to the conflict, wherein a temporary deal had been reached to curb U.S. airstrikes in exchange for the Houthis halting missile attacks on shipping, a deal that did not extend to their attacks on Israel, demonstrating the persistent cycle of retaliation and conflict in the region.