Israel Says it Intercepts Missile Fired from Yemen, Houthis Claim Target was Eilat
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel announced on Wednesday that it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, while the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed that their target was the Israeli city of Eilat.
According to Israeli military officials, the missile was launched from Yemen’s capital city of Sana’a and was intercepted by the Israeli air defense system over the Red Sea. The officials said that the missile was a ballistic missile, but did not specify its type or whether it was armed with a warhead.
The Houthis, who have been fighting a civil war in Yemen since 2015, claimed responsibility for the missile launch and said that their target was the Israeli city of Eilat, which is located on the Red Sea coast of Israel. The Houthis have been known to launch missiles at Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the past, but this is the first time they have targeted Israel.
The Israeli military said that the missile was intercepted and did not cause any damage or injuries. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with the United States and Iran engaged in a war of words over Iran’s nuclear program.
The Houthis have been backed by Iran, which has provided them with military support and weapons. The Houthis have also been accused of receiving support from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is responsible for Iran’s military operations abroad.
The Israeli military has been on high alert in recent weeks, with the country’s air defense systems intercepting several missiles and rockets fired from Gaza and Syria. The incident on Wednesday is the first time that Israel has intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.
The incident has raised concerns about the spread of Iranian influence in the region and the potential for further escalation of tensions between Israel and its neighbors. The United States has been a key ally of Israel and has provided it with military support and aid.
The Houthis have been fighting a civil war in Yemen since 2015, when they overthrew the government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The conflict has been marked by widespread violence and human rights abuses, and has led to a humanitarian crisis in the country.
The incident on Wednesday is the latest in a series of escalations in the region, which has seen a surge in tensions between Israel and its neighbors in recent months. The conflict in Yemen has also been a major source of concern for the international community, with the United Nations and other organizations warning of a humanitarian crisis in the country.
In a statement, the Israeli military said that it would continue to defend its citizens and territory against any threats, and called on the international community to condemn the Houthis’ actions. The Houthis have not commented on the incident, but have previously claimed responsibility for missile launches against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The incident on Wednesday highlights the growing tensions in the region and the potential for further escalation of violence. It also raises concerns about the spread of Iranian influence in the region and the potential for further conflict between Israel and its neighbors.