Health Minister: Closure of Sana’a airport a Grave violation of Humanitarian, Intel law

Minister of Health and Environment Dr. Ali Shaiban stated on Thursday that the continued closure of Sana’a International Airport constitutes a crime against humanity and a blatant violation of humanitarian and international laws.

He told Saba that the airport shutdown—following its targeting by the Israeli enemy—has caused severe shortages of medicines, especially those requiring cold-chain transport.

Thousands of patients have been deprived of essential drugs, including treatments for kidney transplant patients, blood derivatives, hormonal and immune medications, anesthetics, anticoagulants, and diagnostic solutions.

Dr. Shaiban renewed the call for urgent action to allow life-saving medicines and medical equipment to enter through Sana’a Airport. He urged the UN and international organizations not to ignore what he described as a catastrophic tragedy that has already claimed thousands of lives.

He emphasized that the blockade has resulted in widespread suffering, particularly among patients with chronic diseases, noting that the humanitarian consequences far exceed the physical damage to health facilities. He pointed to rising deaths from epidemics, infectious diseases, and among children and mothers due to medicine shortages.

The minister added that the suspension of flights has prevented thousands of patients from traveling abroad for treatment.

He stressed the urgent need for the UN to resume flights into Sana’a to transport medicines that cannot be delivered through other routes, describing this as an essential humanitarian step to save lives, especially those of children.