Aid Coalition Warns Millions of Civilians at Risk as Israel and US Bomb Yemen

Dozens of humanitarian aid groups warned Tuesday that millions of Yemeni civilians are in danger as Israel and the United States carry out new airstrikes on the impoverished country, which is already ravaged by years of sustained attacks from a U.S.-backed Saudi-led coalition.

The aid groups said in a joint statement that they are "deeply concerned about the airstrikes on critical civilian infrastructure, including Sanaa International Airport, power stations in Sanaa and Hodeidah Governorates, and seaports in and near Hodeidah"—a reference to Israeli strikes on December 26.

"These attacks on vital infrastructure serve as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting international humanitarian law, particularly the need to protect critical civilian air and maritime gateways that are indispensable to the survival of millions of Yemenis," the groups said, noting that the airport Israel targeted is "a much-needed delivery point for humanitarian aid in a country where around half of the population (anticipated to rise from 18 million to 19.5 million people in 2025) are in need of assistance—77% of whom are women and children."

"We call on all actors to adhere to international humanitarian law, to ensure the protection of civilian infrastructure that provide critical essential services indispensable for the survival of millions of civilians in Yemen. The consequences of attacks on civilian facilities will be severe and long-lasting for Yemeni civilians, already suffering exhaustion from a decade-long conflict," the groups continued. "We further urge every actor to de-escalate, recognizing that it is civilians in Yemen who pay the ultimate costs."

The coalition's statement came on the same day the U.S. military carried out airstrikes on Yemen, characterizing the attacks as part of an "effort to degrade Iran-backed Houthi efforts to threaten regional partners and military and merchant vessels in the region."

Some progressive members of the U.S. Congress have argued that the Biden administration's repeated attacks on Yemen without congressional authorization are illegal. U.S. President Joe Biden admitted last January that American airstrikes in Yemen have not successfully deterred Houthi rebels from attacking vessels in the Red Sea—but said the strikes would continue regardless.

Israel, for its part, pledged to inflict a "miserable fate" on the Houthis in response to the group's recent drone and ballistic missile attacks.

Mohammed Abdulsalam, a spokesperson for the Houthis, said Tuesday that the latest flurry of U.S. strikes represent "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of an independent state, and blatant support for Israel to encourage it to continue its crimes of genocide against the people of Gaza."

Drop Site reported that across Yemen, people view the U.S. and Israeli attacks "as primarily harming civilians," echoing the concerns of aid groups.

"This attack harms no one but the people and their livelihoods," said Hodeidah resident Muhammad Alwi.