TEHRAN, Apr. 14 (MNA) – The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) carried out a fresh anti-Zionist operation by striking Israeli military targets using drones and hypersonic and ballistic missiles.
| Published April 14, 2025
In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for launching a hypersonic missile and multiple drones targeting key Israeli sites on April 14, 2025. The attacks reportedly aimed at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv and the Sdot Micha military base, which is believed to house Israel’s nuclear-capable Jericho missiles.
According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the group utilized a locally developed “Palestine-2” hypersonic missile in the operation. While the Houthis assert that the missile inflicted severe damage on Israeli military installations, Israeli defense forces have stated that the missile launched from Yemen was likely intercepted, and no casualties or significant damage have been reported.
The attack caused widespread alarm across Israel, with air raid sirens sounding in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and numerous other cities. Ben Gurion Airport temporarily suspended all flights, leading to disruptions in air traffic.
This incident marks the first reported use of hypersonic missile technology by the Houthis against Israel, signaling a potential shift in the group’s military capabilities. The Houthis have previously unveiled the Palestine-2 missile, claiming it has a range of over 2,000 kilometers and speeds up to Mach 16.
The attacks come amid ongoing hostilities in the region, with the Houthis expressing support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The group has vowed to continue its operations until what it describes as the “Gaza genocide” and U.S. aggression cease.
In response to the escalating threat, the United States has intensified its air campaign in Yemen, targeting Houthi positions. Recent U.S. airstrikes near the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, reportedly killed at least seven people and wounded 29 others.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, concerned that the introduction of hypersonic missile technology by non-state actors could further destabilize the Middle East.
Implications:
The use of hypersonic missiles by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Israel on April 14, 2025, carries several serious geopolitical and military implications:
1. Escalation of Regional Conflict
This marks a significant intensification of the Houthis’ involvement in the broader Middle East conflict. Their demonstrated capability to strike Israel with hypersonic technology could provoke direct Israeli retaliation in Yemen and draw other regional actors deeper into the fray.
2. Proliferation of Advanced Weaponry
Hypersonic missiles—known for their speed (Mach 5+) and maneuverability—are notoriously difficult to intercept. If a non-state actor like the Houthis can access or develop such technology, it sets a dangerous precedent and raises concerns about the global spread of advanced missile tech.
3. Strain on Israeli Defense Systems
While Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems have been highly effective, the addition of hypersonic threats could push their limits. It may prompt further investments in advanced interception technologies, including lasers or space-based systems.
4. Increased US Military Involvement
The U.S. has already launched retaliatory strikes on Houthi positions. As threats to Israel (a key U.S. ally) grow more sophisticated, Washington could deepen its military campaign in Yemen, potentially reigniting a broader conflict in the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.
5. Economic and Energy Market Reactions
Tensions in the Red Sea region, especially near key maritime routes like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, could threaten global shipping and oil supplies. Any sustained instability there may disrupt trade and spike oil prices.
6. Boost in Houthi Prestige
Successfully claiming a hypersonic missile strike—regardless of the actual damage—elevates the Houthis’ image among their allies and supporters, particularly among factions opposing Israel and Western influence in the region.
Overall Takeaway:
The April 14, 2025 Houthi hypersonic missile attack on Israel is a game-changing moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics. It signals that even non-state actors now wield advanced weapons once reserved for major powers. This raises the stakes across the region, challenges existing defense systems, and risks a broader escalation involving global players like the U.S. and Iran. The move also spotlights the growing technological sophistication of proxy groups—and the dangerous new era of warfare that’s unfolding.
SOURCES: MEHR NEWS AGENCY – Yemen hits Israel with hypersonic missiles, drones
ONE INDIA – Houthis Launch First-Ever Hypersonic Missile Strike on Israeli Military Bases, Causing Air Traffic Disruptions
MIDDLE EAST MONITOR- Houthi missiles spark panic in Israel, halt air traffic
U.S. Airstrikes Just OBLITERATED Houthi Rebels
On April 13, U.S. airstrikes hit Yemen’s Sanaa province, killing six and injuring dozens, according to Houthi media. Among the dead is Colonel Abdul Nasser al Kamali, the Houthis’ intelligence chief, taken out in an April 8 strike confirmed by funeral reports and Houthi sources.
These strikes are part of a daily U.S. campaign that began March 15, targeting Houthi leadership and military assets after over 500 rebel attacks on Red Sea shipping routes. Aircraft carriers USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson are launching drones and bombers in what has become the most intense U.S. response to Houthi aggression to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4rCY8XYN4