WHO Chief Berates Airstrike on Yemen Airport, Survives Narrow Escape

The director general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, describes a harrowing escape from an Israeli airstrike at a Yemen airport. Amid chaos, Ghebreyesus emphasizes the need to protect civilian lives during conflicts, offering his insights on the incident and the ongoing regional tensions.

The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, revealed that he and his colleagues narrowly escaped death during an Israeli air strike at an airport in Yemen. Taking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he recounted a terrifying experience in which the attack led to the deaths of at least six individuals. Ghebreyesus remarked on the chaos and confusion that erupted as they left Sanaa, where he had been assessing the humanitarian situation and negotiating the release of detained UN personnel.

Israel's military stated that the strikes targeted military facilities associated with Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Dr. Tedros, who has been at the helm of the WHO since 2017, described feeling "completely exposed" during the incident, emphasizing that there was no available shelter for civilians at the airport. He noted, “It’s a matter of luck, otherwise if the missile deviated just slightly it could have been on our heads." His colleague, reflecting on the ordeal, expressed that they had escaped death by mere chance.

Despite his position and the public knowledge of his presence, Ghebreyesus asserted that civilian lives hold equal value, regardless of their status. He condemned the Israeli airstrike on the civilian airport, stressing that such facilities should be protected.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) countered by asserting that their strikes targeted Houthi positions exploiting civilian infrastructure for military ends. Meanwhile, reports from Houthi-controlled Saba news agency confirmed three fatalities at the airport itself, along with a tally of injuries and additional casualties from other targeted strikes in the region.

The ongoing conflict remains complex, with the Houthis describing the strikes as "barbaric" and pledging to continue their own attacks on Israel in retaliation. This dynamic has been escalating since the war ignited in October 2023, following a surprise attack by Palestinian militants against Israel.

As the situation develops, both local and international responses highlight the humanitarian implications of military actions in densely populated areas, showcasing the critical need for safeguarding civilian lives amidst ongoing hostilities.