On May 28, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted Yemen's Sanaa International Airport, destroying the last operational Yemenia Airlines plane minutes before it was scheduled to transport Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. This marked the second Israeli attack on the airport within the month, rendering it inoperable and effectively severing Yemen's aerial connectivity with the world. 

The strikes were reportedly in retaliation for missile launches by Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement, which had declared a comprehensive aerial blockade on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli officials confirmed intercepting the missiles without casualties. 

Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks, labeling them as acts of aggression against civilian infrastructure and calling for international intervention. Ansar Allah leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi reaffirmed support for Palestinians, vowing continued resistance until Israel ends its actions in Gaza.

The destruction of Sanaa's airport exacerbates Yemen's humanitarian crisis, already strained by ongoing conflicts and blockades. As regional tensions escalate, the international community faces increasing pressure to address the unfolding humanitarian and geopolitical challenges.