Houthis launch ballistic missiles at Israel, US warships in retaliation for strikes

The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, claimed responsibility for launching two ballistic missiles aimed at Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport and an attack on the US aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, along with other warships in the Red Sea.

The attack on Ben Gurion Airport, located in the central Israeli city of Jaffa, involved a "Palestine 2" hypersonic ballistic missile, while the US warships in the Red Sea were targeted by multiple missiles and drones, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This escalation follows recent US military strikes on Yemen, which targeted Houthi-controlled areas, including the capital, Sanaa. Over the weekend, these strikes killed more than 50 people and injured nearly 100, according to Houthi sources, prompting their retaliatory missile and drone assaults.

On March 23, the Houthi group announced the launch of a military operation targeting Israel and the US naval assets in the region. Their statement confirmed that the missile aimed at Ben Gurion Airport was a high-speed "Palestine 2" ballistic missile. The group also confirmed the attack on the USS Harry S. Truman and its accompanying warships, which are stationed in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported on March 23 morning that it successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it could penetrate Israeli airspace. The interception was made shortly after air raid sirens were activated in various parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and towns in the northern West Bank.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee confirmed the interception, stating, “The air force intercepted a missile launched from Yemen a short while ago before it could penetrate Israeli airspace.” The Israeli Home Front Command reported that air raid sirens had sounded in over 20 cities, temporarily halting air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport. Reports also indicated that a FlyDubai flight was forced to reroute and avoid landing at the airport.

Despite the sirens and the temporary halt to air traffic, the Magen David Adom emergency services organization confirmed that there were no reports of rocket fire reaching the ground or casualties. The Israeli military had previously intercepted another missile launched from Yemen on Friday, preventing it from entering Israeli airspace.

The escalation follows a series of military confrontations between the Houthis and the US, with both sides continuing their military operations in the region. The conflict remains highly volatile, with the potential for further regional instability.

By Vafa Guliyeva