Yemen’s Houthis have waded into the Israel-Hamas war raging over 1,000 miles from their seat of power in Sanaa, declaring on Tuesday they had fired drones and missiles at Israel in attacks that highlight the regional risks of the conflict.
Part of an “Axis of Resistance” backed by Iran, the Houthis have rallied behind the Palestinians since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, opening a new front for a movement that has waged war for eight years with a Saudi-led coalition in the Gulf.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement the group had launched a “large number” of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel, and there would be more such attacks to come “to help the Palestinians to victory”.
Saree said it was the Houthis’ third attack on Israel since the start of the conflict, appearing to confirm they were behind a drone attack on Oct. 28 that resulted in blasts in Egypt and was blamed by Israel on the Houthis, and an Oct. 19 incident in which the US navy intercepted three cruise missiles.
Saree blamed Israel for instability in West Asia, saying the “circle of conflict” was being expanded by its “continued crimes”. The Houthis would continue to mount attacks “until the Israeli aggression stops”.
Israel said its fighter jets and its new Arrow missile defence system shot down two salvos of incoming fire hours apart as it approached the country’s key Red Sea port of Eilat.
Part of an “Axis of Resistance” backed by Iran, the Houthis have rallied behind the Palestinians since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, opening a new front for a movement that has waged war for eight years with a Saudi-led coalition in the Gulf.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement the group had launched a “large number” of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel, and there would be more such attacks to come “to help the Palestinians to victory”.
Saree said it was the Houthis’ third attack on Israel since the start of the conflict, appearing to confirm they were behind a drone attack on Oct. 28 that resulted in blasts in Egypt and was blamed by Israel on the Houthis, and an Oct. 19 incident in which the US navy intercepted three cruise missiles.
Saree blamed Israel for instability in West Asia, saying the “circle of conflict” was being expanded by its “continued crimes”. The Houthis would continue to mount attacks “until the Israeli aggression stops”.
Israel said its fighter jets and its new Arrow missile defence system shot down two salvos of incoming fire hours apart as it approached the country’s key Red Sea port of Eilat.
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