Houthi UAV attack: Unlikely to repeat Tel Aviv strike, but future threats loom The Wall Street Journal analysis

Media reports from a British private military contractor suggest that the Houthi rebels are unlikely to carry out a repeat of their recent UAV attack on Tel Aviv.

A comprehensive analysis published in the American edition of The Wall Street Journal carries insights into the nature of the attack by Taimur Khan, an expert from Conflict Armament Research specializing in operations in the Persian Gulf, Caliber.Az reports.

Khan's analysis indicates that the Houthi forces utilized a SAMAD-3 kamikaze UAV, which bears similarities to the Iranian KAS-04 but features enhancements such as a more powerful engine. Interestingly, the Houthi spokesperson referred to this particular UAV as "Jaffa," suggesting it was specifically prepared for a mission targeting Tel Aviv.

The Wall Street Journal's report delves into the complexities surrounding the Israeli air defence system's response. It suggests that potential "human error," as hinted at by Israeli military sources, may have contributed to the system's failure to intercept the incoming drone.

The UAV approached from the southern Mediterranean coast at a relatively low altitude and speed, which caught Israeli defences off-guard. This unexpected manoeuvre likely played a role in the inability to effectively intercept the drone, especially as it redirected its course towards the US Embassy office in Tel Aviv.

The article underscores that while the Houthis are unlikely to replicate this exact mode of attack, they may pursue alternative, possibly more sophisticated methods to target Israel in the future.