Sanaa, Yemen  — Senior media sources have disclosed a discreet United Nations-led medical evacuation operation at Sanaa International Airport, aimed at transferring approximately 40 wounded Houthi fighters following recent Israeli airstrikes on the Yemeni capital.

The operation, which took place under tight security and minimal public visibility, was reportedly coordinated by UN humanitarian agencies in collaboration with local health authorities. The wounded individuals—many in critical condition—were airlifted aboard a UN-chartered aircraft to undisclosed medical facilities outside Yemen for urgent treatment.

The evacuation followed a series of Israeli strikes on August 24 targeting Houthi military infrastructure, including the presidential compound and key installations at Sanaa Airport. The attacks killed several senior Houthi officials and injured dozens, prompting international concern over the humanitarian fallout and the safety of aid workers operating in the area.

Sources close to the operation indicated that the UN acted swiftly to prevent further deterioration of the wounded fighters’ conditions, citing humanitarian obligations under international law. The mission was reportedly overseen by senior UN personnel, including representatives from the World Health Organization, who were present at the airport during the strikes.

While the UN has not officially confirmed the details of the evacuation, the move underscores the organization’s delicate balancing act in Yemen—providing life-saving assistance while navigating complex political and military dynamics.

The Houthis have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the evacuation, though affiliated media outlets praised the UN’s intervention as a “humanitarian gesture” amid escalating hostilities.