Escalating Tensions in the Middle East
The Yemeni Armed Forces, also known as the Houthi rebels, have claimed responsibility for a recent attack on Tel Aviv using a hypersonic ballistic missile. According to a statement by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, the attack successfully reached its objective despite being intercepted by Israeli forces.
A Growing Threat to Regional Stability
The attack, which is the second of its kind in 24 hours, has raised concerns about the growing threat posed by the Houthi rebels to regional stability. The Israeli Army has confirmed that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, and police are searching for fragments of the interception in central Israel.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been involved in a long-standing conflict with the internationally recognized Yemeni government. They have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and large regions of the country since 2014.
A Strategic Location for Attacks
Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched attacks on merchant and military ships in the Red and Arabian Seas using drones and missiles. They have also targeted Israel, aiming to economically damage the Jewish State and take advantage of Yemen’s strategic position in the region.
Despite being bombed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Israel, the Houthis have continued their attacks. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that his country will respond with force to these attacks, while the Israeli Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, has threatened to act in the port of Hodeidah and throughout Yemen if the attacks do not stop.
A Defiant Response from the Houthis
However, the Houthis have responded defiantly to these warnings. Senior leader and member of the Houthi political bureau Mohamed Ali al Huti has described the Israeli warnings as “hollow statements” and asserted that Yemen is “further away from” Israel than the sun.
The escalating tensions between Israel and the Houthis have raised concerns about the potential for further conflict in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to these developments.