Israel Urges Evacuation Near Yemen’s Sana’a Airport Amid Escalating Houthi Conflict

Tensions are flying high over Yemen’s skies—literally. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has issued an urgent call for everyone near Sana’a International Airport to clear out, and fast.

IDF Colonel Avichay Adraee took to social media, posting a warning in Arabic, complete with a map showing the danger zone around the airport. The message: evacuate immediately, or risk your safety. No one’s sugarcoating the risk here.

While there was no official confirmation that Israel is planning to strike the airport itself, the timing of the warning raised eyebrows. It came just after the IDF reportedly launched four strikes in Yemen’s capital on Tuesday, as witnessed by locals and reported by Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV.

This burst of firepower follows a dramatic escalation: the Iran-backed Houthis fired a missile that landed uncomfortably close to Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport—Israel’s biggest—on Sunday. That attack was apparently in response to Israel’s ramping up of military operations in Gaza. You could say it’s tit-for-tat, but with missiles instead of words.

After the missile scare, Israel scrambled about 20 jets and hit Yemen’s Al-Hudaydah port—responsible for 80% of the country’s food imports. The Houthis, not exactly known for understatement, have threatened Israel with a "comprehensive aerial blockade." Not the kind of air traffic control you’d hope for.

The Houthis also accused the U.S. of teaming up with Israel for Monday’s strikes, which reportedly killed four and wounded 39. U.S. officials, for their part, have denied any joint action. Still, America’s been busy: since mid-March, U.S. forces have hit roughly 800 Houthi targets as part of Operation Rough Rider. Who knew the skies above Yemen were getting this crowded?