October 7, 2024 | Flash Brief
Israel Intercepts Missile Launched by Iran-Backed Houthis in Yemen
October 7, 2024 | Flash Brief
Israel Intercepts Missile Launched by Iran-Backed Houthis in Yemen
Latest Developments
The Israeli Air Force intercepted a missile launched towards Israeli territory by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on October 7 as the Jewish state braced for attacks from Iranian proxies on the first anniversary of the Hamas atrocities. Reuters reported that the Houthis claimed to have launched two missiles, but only one was confirmed by Israel. The missile activated air raid alerts throughout central Israel, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, sending Israelis running to bomb shelters. The attack also forced Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport to temporarily suspend operations. The Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel since last October, recently launching a ballistic missile into Israel on September 15 and successfully striking Tel Aviv with an armed drone on July 19, killing one Israeli.
The organization, which is designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group by the United States, has recently participated in negotiations with a notorious Russian arms dealer to purchase approximately $10 million in automatic rifles, according to The Wall Street Journal. According to the report, Viktor Bout, who was released from U.S. jail in 2022 in exchange for the detained U.S. women’s basketball star Britney Griner, participated in brokering the deal. In July, U.S. intelligence agencies warned that Russia could arm the Houthis with advanced anti-ship missiles, bolstering the Houthi campaign targeting international shipping in the Red Sea. According to the Journal, citing European officials familiar with the meeting in Moscow, Houthi representatives also discussed purchasing other weapons from Russia, including the Kornet antitank missiles and antiaircraft weapons. The full extent of the Kremlin’s involvement in the deal is unclear.
Responding to recent Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, the United States struck 15 Houthi targets inside Yemen on October 4, U.S. Central Command said on X. U.S. officials confirmed to the Associated Press (AP) that the targets included weapons systems, bases, and other equipment. According to AP, Houthi media reported strikes near the airport in the port city of Hodeida as well as the Katheib area, where a Houthi base is located, the Seiyana area in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, and the Dhamar province. Israel also conducted airstrikes against the port of Hodeida on September 29, targeting the group’s oil facilities, power plants, and seaports in response to the Houthis’ continued missile attacks on Israel. Israel previously struck Hodeida port once before, on July 20, in retaliation for the Tel Aviv drone attack.
Expert Analysis
“In Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, the Biden administration, despite dozens of attacks and repeated warnings that luck would eventually run out, waited until U.S. service members were killed before responding with strength. The White House is operating from the same flawed playbook again in dealing with the Houthis and their Iranian patrons. We should not wait for U.S. casualties to deal decisive blows to those who attack Americans.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power
“The success of the Houthis in disrupting operations in Israel and maritime transit in the Red Sea is directly tied to the U.S. failure to impose costs and deter the supporters of the Houthis — specifically Iran. Playing whack-a-mole with attacks on Houthi launch and storage sites has been ineffective, whereas direct strikes on Iranian ports, ships, and factories that support the Houthis’ weapon supply chain would be a more effective cost-imposing deterrent action. The Biden administration would surely do this if a U.S. ship were damaged and sailors killed by an Iranian-supplied, Houthi-fired weapon but won’t take the actions to deter the tragedy ahead of time.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology
“Simply put, Houthi medium-range ballistic missile capabilities are brought to you by the Islamic Republic. Washington has failed to meaningfully stem the supply by Iran of these missiles and their component parts that include sensitive guidance and control technology to the Houthis. American strikes against Houthi missile targets and overall Yemen policy further appear to have missed the move toward indigenization of other long-range strike capabilities like cruise missiles and one-way attack drones. Faced with more of the same from the international community, the Houthis will continue to be a Red Sea menace and fire their long-range systems at any targets they desire.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD Senior Fellow
Related Analysis
“The Houthis’ leadership structure,” by Joe Truzman
“Following Houthi Attacks, Israel Again Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen,” FDD Flash Brief
“In Long-Range Strike, Israel Bombs Houthi Port in Retaliation for Tel Aviv Drone Attack,” FDD Flash Brief
“Iran Brokers Talks to Provide Russian Missiles to Houthi Rebels in Yemen,” FDD Flash Brief
“American Forces Under Attack by Iran and its Proxies,” by Cameron McMillan and Bradley Bowman