Israeli airstrikes destroy Yemen's last commercial aircraft at Sanaa airport

Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport on Wednesday morning destroyed the last operational aircraft belonging to Yemenia Airways, Yemen's national airline, according to a Houthi-run television station.

Al-Masirah TV, operated by the Houthi group, reported that Israeli warplanes targeted the airport's runway and a Yemenia Airways plane in four airstrikes.

On Thursday, Khaled al-Shaief, Houthi-appointed general director of Sanaa International Airport, confirmed the destruction of the last remaining commercial aircraft operated by Yemen's national airline.

He said the airport and the aircraft were used only for civilian and humanitarian flights that millions of people in northern Yemen depend on.

"Targeting this plane means passengers can no longer travel through Sanaa International Airport. Now, we face a new crisis -- stranded families abroad and patients trapped inside Yemen," al-Shaief said.

Following the bombardment, Yemenia Airways issued a statement denouncing the attack and announcing the immediate suspension of all flights from Sanaa International Airport until further notice.

Sanaa airport officials and the Ministry of Transport called the airstrike a "crippling blow to civil aviation," accusing Israel of deliberately targeting vital facilities.

Officials from the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Justice and Human Rights shared initial details about the damage at a press conference at the airport on Thursday.

"The two ministries confirm that the destruction of Sanaa airport infrastructure and the burning of the Yemeni aircraft by the Zionist entity is a serious violation and grave breach of all rules and principles of international law, particularly international humanitarian law," said Ali Tayseer, deputy minister of justice and human rights.

The attack has drawn condemnation from the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, who expressed concern over the escalating military confrontation and its impact on Yemen's civilian population.

The UN envoy emphasized that attacks on the airport would severely impact Yemeni civilians' ability to travel for essential purposes, calling on all parties to "exercise restraint, and uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure."

The Houthi group, which controls northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, has been conducting attacks against Israeli targets since November 2023 in what is described as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group has stated it would only cease its military operations if Israel ends its military campaign and blockade of Gaza.

Israel has responded with several major airstrikes against Yemeni targets. Around two weeks ago, Israeli forces struck Sanaa International Airport, rendering it temporarily inoperable.

Israeli airstrikes destroy Yemen's last commercial aircraft at Sanaa airport

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests