WHO Chief recounts narrow escape from Israeli attack at Yemen Airport | Watch

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, shared a harrowing account of surviving an airstrike at Yemen's main airport. The attack, carried out by Israel, occurred during a series of assaults on the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

Thank you to all my friends, colleagues, and everyone who has wished me well during the ordeal in the past few days.

I'm especially grateful to the colleagues and airport staff, who were selfless as they tried to protect me.

We faced a very dangerous attack, but my @UN… pic.twitter.com/hGsA8J9XCI

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 28, 2024

Tedros described the intense explosions that rocked the airport building, leaving his ears ringing for over a day. As the airport came under attack, chaos ensued with people running in disarray after approximately four blasts. One of these explosions was alarmingly close to where Tedros and his colleagues were seated near the departure lounge.

"I wasn't sure if I could survive because it was so close, just a few meters from where we were," Tedros told Reuters. "A slight deviation could have resulted in a direct hit."

For the next hour, Tedros and his team were trapped at the airport as drones flew overhead, heightening fears that they might open fire again. Amidst the debris, they discovered missile fragments, but there was no shelter to hide in. "Nothing. So you're just exposed, just waiting for anything to happen," he added.

The Israeli strikes on Yemen followed multiple drone and missile attacks launched by the Houthis on Israel, in support of Palestinians in Gaza. According to the Houthi-controlled Saba News Agency, the incident resulted in three deaths and 40 injuries in Hodeidah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the attacks, stating that Israel was "just getting started" with the Houthis.

Tedros recounted the ordeal while speaking from Jordan, where he had flown to assist in the evacuation of a UN colleague seriously wounded at the airport. Despite the high risks due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthis, Tedros traveled to Yemen over Christmas to negotiate the release of UN staff and others held there. He mentioned that he had not received any warning about an Israeli strike on the airport.

The injured UN Humanitarian Air Service worker is now in stable condition. Tedros acknowledged the dangers of the trip, given the high tension in the region, but remained committed to the humanitarian mission.