Arrow 3 Intercepts Houthi Missile over Red Sea

Latest Developments

A Houthi missile fired toward the Israeli city of Eilat on November 9 was shot down by Israel’s Arrow 3 missile defense system. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the ballistic missile was intercepted over the Red Sea in the first operational interception by the Arrow 3 system, which was first deployed in 2017. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the organization launched a “batch of ballistic missiles” at “various sensitive targets” in southern Israel. The Houthis have targeted Israel’s southern port city of Eilat multiple times since Israel’s war with Hamas terrorists in Gaza began on October 7.

Expert Analysis

“Following the horrible events of October 7, Iran has partially activated its other ‘ring of fire’ terror proxies to target Israel. Even as Israel seeks to destroy Hamas in Gaza, the Jewish state is being attacked from the north by Hezbollah and from the south by the Houthis. We can expect these attacks to continue and even get worse if Iran and its proxies don’t suffer greater consequences for these unprovoked acts of war. The Houthis are a problem for Israel, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, underscoring yet again the need for a combined regional security architecture.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power

“The Iran-led Axis of Resistance is engaging in confrontations against Israel across various fronts. Yet it is doing so in a calculated manner so as not to trigger a full-blown regional escalation. Despite this restraint, the actions of Hezbollah in the north, the Houthis in the south, and Hamas in the west pose a concerning risk of all three fronts being simultaneously attacked.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Houthi ballistic missile capabilities are brought to you by the Islamic Republic of Iran — full stop. The regime is bringing more proxies online to limit Israel’s success in Gaza and threaten the prospect of a wider war that could drag in the United States.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD Senior Fellow

Houthis Target Israel

On October 19, the U.S. Navy intercepted a series of cruise missiles and drones launched from Yemen toward Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis. It was the first reported Houthi attempt to attack Israel following the launch of the Jewish state’s military operation in Gaza. On October 31, the IDF said it intercepted an “aerial threat that was identified in the area of the Red Sea.” On the same day, the Houthis declared they had entered the conflict with Israel and were helping the Palestinians achieve victory by launching a “large batch” of ballistic missiles and drones against the Jewish state.

Houthis Shoot Down American Drone

On November 8, the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper surveillance drone in international waters off the coast of Yemen, claiming that the drone was “carrying out hostile missions in support of the Israeli enemy.” The Trump administration listed the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2021. The Biden administration revoked the designation just weeks after assuming office. The group’s official motto is “God is great, death to the United States, death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory for Islam.”

“How arming Saudi Arabia helped Israel and the United States,” by Bradley Bowman and Ryan Brobst

“Iran’s Ever-Expanding Ring of Fire,” by Mark Dubowitz and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“Houthis shoot down U.S. MQ-9 Reaper off Yemeni coast,” by Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio

“U.S. Navy Shoots Down Missiles and Drones Launched From Yemen,” FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Green-Lights Israel’s Arrow-3 Sale to Germany,” FDD Flash Brief