Israeli Army Intercepts Missile Fired from Yemen

On Sunday, the Israeli military reported that it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, marking the latest in a series of recent attacks. According to the military, the missile was intercepted before it could enter Israeli airspace after sirens sounded in the Talmei Elazar region.

The missile was launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who control large parts of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. The Houthis stated that the missile was a hypersonic ballistic missile aimed at a power station located south of Haifa, Israel.

Earlier in the week, on Friday, Israel’s military also reported intercepting a missile and a drone launched from Yemen. These recent attacks come amid a broader escalation by Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, which has been involved in cross-border exchanges with Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7. The Houthis, like Hezbollah, have stated that their actions are in support of Palestinians and have pledged to continue their attacks until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza.

While most missiles and drones launched from Yemen have been intercepted, one missile did manage to strike Tel Aviv in December, injuring 16 people, according to Israel’s military and emergency services. In retaliation, Israel has conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including at Sanaa’s international airport.

In addition to missile attacks, the Houthis have targeted ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, disrupting vital shipping routes and prompting military responses from the United States and occasionally Britain. On Sunday, the Houthi news agency Saba and Al-Masirah TV reported airstrikes on locations east of Saada, a city in northern Yemen, attributing the attacks to the U.S. and the U.K. However, neither country provided an immediate comment on the report.

The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the airstrikes carried out by the U.S. and U.K. against Houthi infrastructure in Saada province, with spokesperson Esmail Baghaei expressing strong disapproval.