(CLO) On December 27, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Mr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recounted that he thought he might not survive the Israeli airstrike on Sanaa International Airport, Yemen the day before.
Speaking about the heartbreaking incident, Mr. Tedros said the explosions were so powerful that his ears were still ringing more than a day later. He described a chaotic scene at the airport, with about four explosions and people running, including one very close to where he was sitting in the departure lounge.
"I wasn't sure I could survive, because the explosion was so close, just a few meters away from where we were. A little deviation could have led to terrible consequences," he said, adding that the air traffic control tower, departure lounge and runway were damaged.
After the explosions, Mr Tedros and his colleagues were trapped at the airport for about an hour, worried that the drones might attack again. In the rubble, they found fragments of missiles. "There was nowhere to hide, we were completely exposed and could only wait for whatever happened," he said.
Mr Tedros and an injured UN colleague are evacuated from the attack in Yemen. Photo: DrTedros/X
The Israeli airstrikes came after Houthi forces launched drones and missiles at Israel, claiming it was an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "this is just the beginning" for the Houthi movement.
The airstrikes killed six people, three at the airport and three in Hodeidah, and wounded 40 others, according to the Houthi-run Saba news agency.
The following day, Mr Tedros flew to Jordan to help evacuate a UN colleague who was seriously injured in the attack. He said the colleague was now in stable condition.
Tedros traveled to Yemen over Christmas to negotiate the release of UN staff and others held in detention. He acknowledged the trip was risky given the tensions between Israel and the Houthis, but stressed that it was a necessary opportunity to fight for the freedom of UN staff.
According to him, negotiations with the Yemeni government have been positive, and he hopes to be able to rescue 16 UN staff members along with diplomats and NGOs detained there.
While declining to comment on the attack, Mr Tedros expressed shock that civilian infrastructure had been targeted. “Civilian airports should be protected, regardless of whether I am there or not,” he said.
Finally, he expressed concern about the current state of the world, calling on international leaders to work together to end conflicts. "I have never seen the world in such a dangerous state as it is now," 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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