Yemen's Houthis Launch Attacks on Israel: A Bold Assertion of Solidarity
Yemen's Houthi rebels have proclaimed their intention to escalate military operations against Israel, claiming responsibility for a ballistic missile strike aimed at southern Tel Aviv and a drone attack targeting the coastal city of Ashkelon. This announcement, made on Friday, underscores the group's alignment with Palestinian and Lebanese causes amidst rising tensions in the region.
In a televised address, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated, "We will conduct additional military operations against the Israeli adversary, avenging the blood of our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon." This declaration follows an unsuccessful attempt to strike Tel Aviv, which was reportedly intercepted by Israeli air defenses.
The Houthis have been active in the region since November, launching multiple attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in strategic waterways such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They frame these actions as expressions of solidarity with Palestinians facing Israeli offensives in Gaza. As the conflict intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah, resulting in over 700 fatalities in Lebanon since Monday—the Houthis have intensified their calls for Israel to cease its military actions.
The Israeli military confirmed that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen early Friday morning, coinciding with sirens and explosions heard across central Israel. The military's statement indicated that the missile was neutralized outside Israeli territory by an "Arrow" interceptor.
This is not the first instance of Houthi aggression towards Israel; in July, they launched a drone at Tel Aviv, resulting in one fatality and injuries to at least ten others. In retaliation, Israel struck Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, leading to significant damage and loss of life. Following these events, Houthi leaders announced a new phase in their military campaign against Israel.
Earlier this month, the Houthis claimed to have reached central Israel with what they referred to as a hypersonic missile, igniting fires and triggering air raid sirens near Ben Gurion Airport. While Israeli officials reported that the missile was damaged but not destroyed by an interceptor missile, they contested its hypersonic capabilities.
The Houthis have faced a United Nations arms embargo since 2015; however, reports indicate that they have received assistance from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah from Lebanon, and various Iraqi factions. This ongoing support raises concerns about the potential for further escalation in an already volatile region.