Israeli Forces Successfully Intercept Yemeni Houthi Aerial Assaults in Red Sea Region
Israel claims to have successfully foiled an aerial assault by Iran-backed Houthi rebels near the Red Sea, raising concerns of an escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict
On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced that it had successfully foiled an airborne assault carried out by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This event has raised concerns about the potential expansion of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict within the region. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the Houthi forces, informed Houthi-owned Al-Masirah TV that ballistic missiles and drones were deployed to target locations in Israel. He claimed that this operation marked the third instance of support for the Palestinian people.
He mentioned that there were intentions to continue striking until the "Israeli aggression" stopped.
"Our military forces initiated a significant barrage of ballistic and guided missiles, along with numerous drones, targeting multiple locations controlled by the Israeli enemy," he commented, referring to the entirety of Israel as "occupied territories."
The Houthis, a Shia political and military group in Yemen, have been engaged in a civil war against a coalition supported by Saudi Arabia. They have expressed solidarity with the Palestinians and have coordinated rallies in Yemen against Israel's aggression in Gaza.
On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had utilized their Arrow air defense system for the first time to effectively intercept a surface-to-surface missile launched from the vicinity of the Red Sea.
The use of the Arrow defense system suggests that the Houthis deployed a sophisticated, long-range missile in their attempted attack. Furthermore, Israeli jets successfully intercepted the "aerial threats" in the region, as confirmed by the IDF, with all threats intercepted beyond Israeli borders.
The Iran-backed Houthis have escalated their attacks on Israel, intensifying regional rivalries despite the United States' efforts to contain the risk of a Middle Eastern war.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) departs Naval Station Norfolk on October 14, 2023. The Ike Carrier Strike Group is embarking on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. Its mission is to actively engage in enhanced vigilance activities and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners. (Photo credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anderson W. Branch)
The United States is teetering on the brink of being dragged into a conflict in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian cautioned that the region was witnessing an escalation of hostilities. He emphasized that members of resistance groups would not stay silent regarding America's unwavering support for Israel, and that they would not hesitate to act without seeking anyone's counsel.
According to a statement from Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he emphasized the need to seize the current political opportunities to halt the war. He warned that if the situation escalates, no party will be immune from its consequences.
Prior to the recent Houthi attacks on Tuesday, there was a failed attempt two weeks earlier. On October 19, a US warship located near Yemen's coast successfully intercepted and destroyed four cruise missiles and fifteen drones over a span of nine hours. A US official, who is well-informed about the situation, revealed that the projectiles were clearly targeting Israel based on their trajectory.
The missiles were fired by Houthi forces in Yemen, backed by Iran, and were potentially aimed at targets in Israel. Intercepting Houthi launches is highly uncommon for the US. Despite enduring extensive US-imposed sanctions, Iran has persistently supported the Houthis, as well as the Syrian regime, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, by offering training and weapons.
Hezbollah, a formidable Shia militia, has been involved in frequent clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border since the war commenced. In efforts to prevent Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah from initiating further confrontations with Israel, the US deployed two carrier groups to the eastern Mediterranean in October.
Furthermore, with the outbreak of the recent conflict in Gaza subsequent to the devastating rampage by Hamas on October 7, US military installations in Iraq and Syria have experienced intermittent attacks.
