Yemen’s hypersonic ballistic missile rocks Israel’s defenses

Khalil Nasrallah, The Cradle, September 16, 2024 — 

Yemen’s daring strike on Tel Aviv not only exposed the cracks in Israel’s defenses but also the political vulnerabilities of the occupation state, challenging the status quo and signaling that Sanaa is now a regional force to be reckoned with.

In the early hours of Sunday, 15 September, a Yemeni hypersonic ballistic missile pierced through the air, striking at the heart of Tel Aviv. Launched on the Mawlid, or birthday of Prophet Muhammad, the missile traveled over 2,000 kilometers, evading the collective defense systems of Israel, the US, and its Arab allies. 

This latest attack by Yemen’s Ansarallah-aligned armed forces “was carried out with a new hypersonic ballistic missile … within 11 and a half minutes, and caused a state of fear and panic among the Zionists,” according to a statement by the movement. 

The missile strike occurred against the backdrop of mounting Israeli threats of military action against fellow Axis of Resistance member Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to accept a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Yemeni leader: We confused the enemy in his calculations

In an interview with The Cradle, Ansarallah’s political bureau and Shura Council member Dr Hizam al-Assad confirmed that “the missile operation confused the enemy’s calculations and drew new rules in the balance of deterrence operations,” pointing out that it is “the first for future operations.”

Assad separates the operation from the response to the Israeli aggression that affected Hodeidah, stressing that it will come “deep inside Israel and in what the enemy or those who stand behind the enemy or on his side do not expect.”

Regarding the Israeli occupation army’s denial that the missile that hit Tel Aviv was hypersonic, Assad confirmed that “the Republic of Yemen has developed military technologies and entered the path of technological industrialization, including hypersonic missile systems, in addition to drones and other things.”

On Netanyahu’s intention to expand the battle with Lebanon, the Ansarallah official charges that those “threats come from a position of weakness” and warns the Israeli prime minister that “the next will be worse for your forces and settlers.”

And Assad doubles down against Israeli attempts to compartmentalize its battles on various fronts, arguing that the Resistance Axis’ military efforts represent a unified front: 

As for us, within the framework of the support front, we stand by our brothers in Hizbullah, our brothers in the Iraqi front, and the various fronts inside and outside Palestine, and we coordinate and cooperate within the framework of joint and non-joint operations.

He concludes by underlining the goal for all parts of the axis: “We will not stop until the aggression on the Gaza Strip is stopped and the siege on its people is lifted.”

Continuation of the ‘Fifth Phase’

Yemen’s bold missile operation on Sunday was a clear message that it, too, holds sway in shaping the future of the conflict, defying Israel’s expectations and altering the strategic calculations of regional players. 

Crucially, it served as a warning to the occupation state to “expect more strikes and qualitative operations to come – as we are on the threshold of the first anniversary of the blessed October 7 operation – including the response to its criminal aggression on the city of Hodeidah.”

Indeed, this is not the first time Yemen has targeted Tel Aviv in support of the Palestinian resistance. In July, representing the “fifth phase” of operations, the armed forces launched a long-range drone attack that resulted in one fatality, prompting the occupation state’s subsequent bombing of the Yemeni port city. 

In his Sunday speech to commemorate the Mawlid, Ansarallah leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi reiterated the commencement of the fifth phase, stating that the attack that targeted occupied Jaffa “was carried out with a high-tech missile that bypassed the enemy’s systems.” 

He also stressed that “Yemen’s operations and positions would continue as long as the aggression and siege on Gaza continue” and “until Palestine is cleansed from the clutches of the occupation.”

Military and political confusion in Tel Aviv

The significance of this missile strike cannot be overstated. It marks a dramatic escalation in Yemen’s military capabilities and willingness to challenge Israel directly. The operation also aligns with Sanaa’s commitment to advancing the country’s military and technical prowess, with a focus on utilizing new weapons across land and sea. 

Shortly after the missile hit, the Israeli army admitted its failure to intercept the attack, while the Israeli police confirmed that the missile landed near the settlement of Kfar Daniel, close to Ben Gurion Airport. The explosion, along with attempted interceptions, led to fires and damage to a major train station near the town of Modiin. This latest breach of Israel’s air defense systems sparked immediate political repercussions, with the occupation state already grappling with internal turmoil. 

Netanyahu, facing immense pressure, convened yesterday’s weekly cabinet session where he vowed a strong response against Yemen. He declared that Israel would “impose a heavy price” for any attack on its territory and reaffirmed the occupation state’s readiness to confront what he described as the Iranian-led “Axis of Evil.” 

Netanyahu’s statements reflected the growing sense of unease in Tel Aviv as he acknowledged the multifaceted threats Israel faces. Yet, his rhetoric betrayed a deeper frustration. Despite Israel’s military actions, including the attack on Hodeidah, Netanyahu has been unable to halt the escalation or suppress Yemen’s determination. 

Hypersonic message 

The decision by Yemen to launch a hypersonic missile was a calculated move, carrying several significant messages both regionally and internationally. The fact that Sanaa was willing to take this step demonstrates its refusal to be deterred by Israeli, US, or British “reprisals.”

In fact, the operation illustrates the continued development of Yemen’s military capabilities, which have now proven capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory with precision. Furthermore, this missile strike is a testament to Yemen’s growing ability to overcome sophisticated defense systems, a development that has not gone unnoticed in Washington or Tel Aviv.

By targeting Tel Aviv, Sanaa has signaled that it is prepared to challenge the status quo in West Asia, particularly Israel’s perceived dominance. This strike also reflects the erosion of US and Israeli deterrence, a reality that will shape future engagements across a wide range of issues, including the blockade imposed on Yemen and the internal divisions exacerbated by foreign interference. 

Yemen’s military actions also make clear that it will not retreat from its position, no matter the cost. Any pause in hostilities, Yemen insists, must be linked to a cessation of the war in Gaza.

The missile strike also comes at a time when Yemen is facing renewed pressure from Washington, including attempts to use humanitarian aid as leverage. US officials have sought to use aid as a bargaining chip, hoping to force concessions from both the Yemeni leadership and the Palestinian resistance – something the Yemeni leadership has consistently vowed would never happen. 

Partner, not proxy 

On the regional front, the timing of the strike is particularly noteworthy. It occurred at the height of Israeli threats to launch a large-scale military operation against Lebanon, showing that Yemen is prepared to be an active participant in any broader multi-front conflict. 

By striking Tel Aviv, Yemen sent a clear message to Israel and its allies: it will not stand idly by while other members of the Resistance Axis are targeted. This missile strike also reinforces Yemen’s role as a key pillar in the region’s resistance, demonstrating that it is a vital part of the strategic equation that binds together Iran, Hezbollah, and other regional actors.

The operation also highlights the increasing coordination among the forces aligned against Israel. Netanyahu’s strategy of attempting to isolate and deal with each front separately is being undermined by the growing solidarity and coordination among his adversaries. 

The missile strike from Yemen serves as a stark reminder that Israel’s actions on one front will have consequences across the region and that Yemen’s role in this dynamic is only growing stronger.

The hypersonic missile strike on Tel Aviv may be seen as a turning point in the escalating conflict between Israel and Yemen, raising the political and security costs for the occupation state as the war on Gaza approaches the one-year mark. 

As tensions continue to mount, it is clear that any attempt to dictate the rules of engagement in West Asia will be met with fierce resistance. Yemen has demonstrated that it is not a passive player in this conflict, and the repercussions of this strike will likely reverberate throughout the region for months, if not years, to come.