Israel Intercepts Houthi Missile Aimed at Its Airbase
The Israeli military reports that it successfully intercepted a missile early Saturday morning before it could enter Israeli territory.
According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, Israel managed to intercept a missile launched from Yemen aimed at its territory.
The military indicated in a social media post that the interception occurred early Saturday morning before the missile could cross into Israel. The precise location of the missile at the time of interception is still unclear.
The Houthi movement in Yemen, supported by Iran, has claimed responsibility for this missile attack, stating that the intended target was the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel.
While Iran denies providing arms directly to the Houthis, Tehran-manufactured weaponry has been discovered on the battlefield and seized in maritime shipments directed at Yemen, violating a United Nations arms embargo.
In the wake of Hamas’s militant assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on civilian vessels in the Red Sea, which they claim is in solidarity with Hamas’s conflict against Israel. These actions have severely disrupted trade through the Red Sea, a crucial corridor for over $1 trillion in goods annually.
The Houthis have threatened to intensify their attacks on maritime shipping and Israel, particularly after a series of U.S. bombardments targeting the group and renewed Israeli offensives against Hamas in Gaza.
This marks the second missile attack of the week.
In just six weeks, the group has managed to shoot down at least seven American MQ-9 Reaper drones, valued at over $200 million.
The Houthis also targeted a U.S. fighter jet operating in the area with surface-to-air missiles but failed to successfully strike their target.