Iran’s Houthis Penetrate Israeli Air Defenses With Cruise Missile

University students march during a parade by students recruited to the ranks of the Houthis as part of a mobilization campaign they have initiated recently, at the campus of Sanaa University in Sanaa, Yemen February 21, 2024.
University students march during a parade by students recruited to the ranks of the Houthis as part of a mobilization campaign they have initiated recently, at the campus of Sanaa University in Sanaa, Yemen February 21, 2024.

Iran’s Houthi militia in Yemen penetrated Israel’s air defence systems with a cruise missile landing in southern Israel on Sunday night.

While the IDF did not explicitly name the Yemeni militia, it is widely believed to be part of ongoing operations by the group in the Red Sea.

The IDF is currently investigating why the missile wasn't intercepted, citing the possibility that its flight pattern caught air defense operators off guard.

The Houthis’ maritime assaults from the Red Sea region began in November, initiated by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

After Iran-backed Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, its relentless retaliation has seen Iran’s proxies attack the Jewish state and American targets, punishing the US for supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

Their attacks have already disrupted maritime routes, compelling vessels to opt for longer journeys bypassing the Red Sea and Suez Canal.