Houthis claim home-made hypersonic missile attack on ship in Arabian Sea

WORLD  27 June 2024 - 11:07

Yemen's Houthi group has claimed responsibility for using a domestically developed hypersonic missile in an attack on a cargo ship in the Arabian Sea, marking a significant escalation in their military capabilities and maritime operations.

In a video statement released on June 26, the Houthis showcased the launch of the missile, named "Hadim 2," from a mobile platform in an undisclosed desert location, Caliber.Az reports, referring to Xinhua.

The missile, characterized as a solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile produced by Houthi military facilities, was reportedly used to target the Israeli-related cargo ship MSC Sarach V. The attack allegedly took place on June 25, although the exact timing was not disclosed in the statement.

This revelation marks the first public unveiling of the Hadim 2 missile by the Houthis, underscoring their technological advancements despite international sanctions and ongoing conflict in Yemen. The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center previously reported that the Liberian-flagged MSC Sarah V had been targeted by a missile but fortunately was not hit, resulting in no casualties or damage to the ship.

The Houthis have intensified their attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, utilizing both drones and missiles. They justify these actions as expressions of solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Caliber.Az