(CLO) On December 27, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recounted that he thought he might not survive the Israeli airstrike on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen the day before.
Recounting the tragic event, Tedros said the explosions were so powerful that his ears were still ringing more than a day later. He described the chaotic scene at the airport, where about four explosions occurred and people ran in all directions, one of which happened very close to where he was sitting in the departure lounge.
"I wasn't sure I would have survived, because the explosion was so close, just a few meters from where we were. A slight deviation could have had terrible consequences," he said, adding that the air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway had been damaged.
Following the explosions, Tedros and his colleagues were trapped at the airport for about an hour, worried that drones might attack again. In the rubble, they discovered fragments of missiles. "There was nowhere to take shelter; we were completely exposed and could only wait for whatever happened," he recounted.
Dr. Tedros and a wounded UN colleague are evacuated from the attack in Yemen. Photo: DrTedros/X
The Israeli airstrikes followed Houthi forces launching drones and missiles into Israel, claiming it was an act of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that "this is just the beginning" for the Houthi movement.
According to the Houthi-run Saba news agency, the airstrikes killed six people, including three at the airport and three in Hodeidah, and injured 40 others.
The following day, Tedros flew to Jordan to assist in the evacuation of a United Nations colleague who had been seriously injured in the attack. He said the colleague's condition is now stable.
Tedros traveled to Yemen during Christmas to negotiate the release of UN staff and others being held captive. He acknowledged the trip was fraught with risks due to the tense situation between Israel and the Houthi rebels, but stressed that it was a necessary opportunity to fight for the freedom of UN personnel.
According to him, negotiations with the Yemeni authorities have been positive, and he hopes to secure the release of 16 United Nations staff members, along with diplomats and NGO personnel, who are being held there.
While declining to comment on the attack, Tedros expressed his astonishment that civilian infrastructure was being targeted. "Civilian airports should be protected, regardless of whether I'm there or not," he said.
Finally, he expressed concern about the current state of the world, calling on international leaders to cooperate to end the conflict. "I have never seen the world in such a dangerous situation," he concluded.
Hoai Phuong (according to Saba, Reuters, AJ)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-giam-doc-who-ke-lai-khoanh-khac-thoat-chet-sau-vu-tan-cong-o-yemen-post327927.html
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