Houthis in Yemen carry out uncommon missile strike targeting northern Israel.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels recently launched a ballistic missile in the direction of northern Israel, according to reports from the Israeli military, which indicated that the missile was intercepted without resulting in any injuries. This incident occurred around 4 am local time on Wednesday, prompting air raid sirens in Haifa, Krayot, and other regions west of the Sea of Galilee.

The Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran, have increasingly targeted Israel as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza that escalated in October 2023. The missile launch signifies a notable shift in the geographical focus of Houthi operations, as this area is not frequently targeted by the group. The Israeli military has responded previously with air strikes against Houthi positions within Yemen, including those in the capital, Sanaa.

While the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for this latest missile launch, it is common for such announcements to take time. The group has been active in responding to what they describe as a show of support for Palestine under current regional tensions.

In conjunction with these developments, U.S. air strikes against Houthi positions have intensified, with operations continuing almost daily since March 15. On Wednesday morning, reports indicated U.S. strikes targeted the Hodeidah, Marib, and Saada governorates in Yemen. In Marib, the Houthis reported that a strike impacted telecommunications infrastructure, which has been a frequent focus of U.S. air campaigns.

In retaliation, the Houthis have increased their efforts against U.S. drone operations within Yemen’s airspace. On Tuesday, a Houthi military spokesperson announced the downing of an MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Hajjah governorate, highlighting the ongoing technological and military contest between the two factions. The MQ-9 Reaper, valued at approximately million, is a sophisticated surveillance drone employed by U.S. forces in various conflict zones, including Afghanistan and Iraq.

The U.S. military maintains that its operations are aimed at neutralizing what it designates as Houthi “terrorists” in an effort to secure vital international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, an essential route for global trade, as well as to safeguard Israeli interests.

This escalation of military actions signifies an intricate web of geopolitical maneuvering in the Middle East, affecting not only Yemen and Israel but also the larger dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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