Background on Houthi Rebels and Their Significance
The Houthi rebels are a Zaidi Shia Muslim political and military movement that originated in northern Yemen. They have been engaged in a civil war against the internationally recognized government of Yemen since 2014. The Houthis have received support from Iran, which has further complicated the conflict and drawn in regional powers like Saudi Arabia.
Details of the Recent Claimed Attacks
On Tuesday, the Houthi rebels from Yemen announced that they had conducted two military operations against Israel. One target was Yaffo, located in western Israel, and the other was Eilat, situated in southern Israel. These claims came shortly after the Israeli military identified a missile and activated shelter alarms in various parts of the country.
Houthi Claims and Statements
According to the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sari, the Yemeni Armed Forces executed a “qualitative military operation” using a hypersonic ballistic missile against a sensitive Israeli target in the occupied area of Yaffo, near Tel Aviv. Sari celebrated the success of provoking local residents to seek shelter.
Additionally, Sari claimed that the Houthi drone force had “successfully” conducted another operation against the Ramon Airport in Eilat, located in southern Israel. He also issued a call to all Arab and Islamic nation members to intervene for the Palestinians in Gaza amid Israeli attacks, warning that “this brutal and criminal aggression will spread to various countries unless the people and states mobilize.”
Israeli Defense Forces’ Response
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, following the activation of alerts in “several areas” across the country. Hours before the claimed attacks, the IDF attacked Yemen in response to “repeated Houthi attacks on Israeli territory, involving drones and ground-to-ground missiles.”
Contextualizing Houthi Actions and Implications
The Houthis, under Iranian direction and funding, aim to harm Israel and its allies. They exploit maritime space to exert force and carry out terrorist activities against merchant vessels navigating international waters. The recent claims of attacks on Israel highlight the expanding reach and potential consequences of the Yemeni conflict, which has already drawn in regional powers.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Houthi rebels? The Houthi rebels are a Zaidi Shia Muslim political and military movement originating in northern Yemen, engaged in a civil war against the internationally recognized government since 2014. They have received support from Iran.
- What are the claimed attacks by Houthis on Israel? The Houthi rebels announced two military operations against Israel, targeting Yaffo in western Israel and Eilat in southern Israel. They claimed to have used a hypersonic ballistic missile and drones in these attacks.
- How did Israel respond to the claimed attacks? The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they intercepted a missile launched from Yemen and attacked Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on Israeli territory involving drones and ground-to-ground missiles.
- What are the implications of these attacks? The Houthi actions, supported by Iran, aim to harm Israel and its allies. The recent claims of attacks on Israel highlight the expanding reach and potential consequences of the Yemeni conflict, which has already drawn in regional powers.
