Houthis launch hypersonic ballistic missile at Israel, leading to increased tensions

In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Houthi rebels from Yemen with support from Iran claimed they launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at Israel, hitting a military site in Tel Aviv early Sunday. This marked the first successful deployment of such a weapon by the Houthis against Israel.

The missile, traveling over 2,000 kilometers before impact, managed to bypass Israel’s advanced defense systems, including the Iron Dome and Arrow anti-missile systems. Hypersonic missiles, known for speeds exceeding Mach 5, pose challenges for interception due to their high velocity and ability to change course in flight. Despite efforts by Israeli and U.S. naval forces to intercept the missile, it breached Israeli airspace and scattered debris in the town of Modiin.

#BREAKING : The Houthis announced an attack on Tel Aviv with a new hypersonic missile. The missile traveled more than 2,000 km from Yemen to Tel Aviv in 11 minutes, passing close to two American destroyers and a French frigate, without being detected.#Houthis #TelAviv… pic.twitter.com/MjG9loTyf1

— upuknews (@upuknews1) September 15, 2024

This attack comes amidst rising tensions between Israeli and Iranian-backed forces in the region. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed air-raid sirens were activated across central Israel post-missile launch, with no reported casualties as the missile fragmented in mid-air, hitting an open area. This incident highlights the increasing capabilities of the Houthis, often seen as an extension of Iran’s influence​.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Saudi Arabia and allies since 2015. Their expanding military arsenal, reportedly aided by Iran, has extended their reach beyond the Arabian Peninsula. Just last year, the Houthis claimed testing their initial hypersonic missile, a development believed to be influenced by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiling their hypersonic missile, the Fattah II, in 2023​.

Videos of a ballistic missile launched from #Yemen, that fell a few kilometers from Ben Gurion Airport in #TelAviv, in the Ben Shemen forest area.

The possible target could have been the Geyzer power station located 6 km from the airport, or the airport itself.#Israel #Houthis pic.twitter.com/L297hbURyF

— Capt (IN) Vikram Mahajan (Veteran) (@vikrammahajan) September 16, 2024

In a post-attack statement, a Houthi spokesperson indicated intentions for future strikes on Israeli military and civilian targets. This declaration aligns with the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, a date used by the Houthis in previous justifications for their military endeavors. The Houthis have directed numerous ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones towards Israel recently under the guise of “support for Gaza”​.

The global response, including from the United States, has condemned the assault. U.S. naval forces in the Red Sea failed to intercept the missile, highlighting concerns about traditional missile defense systems against emerging hypersonic threats. This inability to halt the missile post-multiple interception attempts has spurred reassessments of defense strategies by Israeli and U.S. military authorities in the area.

Meanwhile, Israel has strengthened its naval presence in the Red Sea by deploying warships and anti-missile systems to deter further attacks. Previous Houthi missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets, including an unsuccessful strike on the critical Red Sea port of Eilat earlier this year, are part of broader attempts by Iranian proxies to destabilize the region. Iran continues supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas in their conflicts with Israel.

The introduction of hypersonic missiles in the conflict represents a notable escalation with potential to further destabilize an already tumultuous region. As Israel braces for additional assaults, uncertainties persist on how it and its allies will adapt to the mounting missile threat from Yemen and other Iran-aligned factions.