Yemenia Airways lost three planes, while six aircraft were destroyed in total, following Israeli air strikes on Sanaa International Airport on May 6. AP
Yemenia Airways lost three planes, while six aircraft were destroyed in total, following Israeli air strikes on Sanaa International Airport on May 6. AP
Yemenia Airways lost three planes, while six aircraft were destroyed in total, following Israeli air strikes on Sanaa International Airport on May 6. AP
Yemenia Airways lost three planes, while six aircraft were destroyed in total, following Israeli air strikes on Sanaa International Airport on May 6. AP

Yemen's Sanaa airport to resume operations after Israeli strike


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  • Arabic

Yemen's Sanaa International Airport will resume operations from Wednesday, the airport's general director said, after an Israeli strike last week rendered it out of service.

Khaled Al Shaif spoke as the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile that was launched from Yemen on Tuesday evening.

The strikes on Sanaa airport on May 6 came after the Houthi rebel group, which controls the city, launched another missile that struck near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.

"The rehabilitation work on the airport runway has been completed, and it is now ready to receive flights starting tomorrow," Mr Al Shaif said on Tuesday.

Mr Al Shaif had previously told Houthi media that the Israeli strike on the airport caused $500 million in damage and destroyed terminal buildings. Yemenia Airways lost three planes, with six aircraft destroyed in total, he said, predicting that it would take a "long time" to restore operations.

The airport reopened to international flights after a six-year gap in 2022, with regular flights to Jordan's capital Amman. Yemenis in need of emergency medical treatment abroad have been among those relying on the airport.

Last week, the US announced it would end a bombing campaign that had significantly intensified since mid-March, with the Houthis also agreeing to stop attacking ships to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The truce was mediated and confirmed by Oman.

But the deal did not mention Israel, which the Iran-backed Houthis vowed to continue attacking, as part of what they claim is a pressure campaign in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Yemeni group on Tuesday night claimed responsibility for a missile launched towards Israel, which set off air-raid sirens across regions. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the Israeli military said, after earlier announcing it had "identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory".

On Friday, the Israeli army said it had intercepted another Houthi missile with Defence Minister Israel Katz vowing to respond. The Israeli military then issued an eviction notice for Yemenis to leave three ports in Houthi-controlled areas.

The Houthi Interior Ministry reported Israeli strikes after the warning for residents of Ras Isa, Hodeidah and Salif. There was no comment from Israel.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

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450,000

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73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

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4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

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Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

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Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

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Transmission: 6-speed auto

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Updated: May 14, 2025, 12:27 PM