Israel uses THAAD anti-missile system to intercept Yemen-linked projectile VIDEO

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, a US military anti-missile technology, was deployed in Israel for the first time to intercept a projectile originating from Yemen. 

This marks the first operational use of the system since President Joe Biden authorized its placement in Israel in October 2024, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The THAAD system attempted to intercept the missile within the past 24 hours, with an analysis underway to determine the success of the interception. The Pentagon has not yet provided an official response to inquiries about the operation.

מערכת ה- THAAD האמריקנית לקחה חלק ביירוט הטיל הבליסטי ששוגר אמש מתימן. אפשר לשמוע את אחד החיילים האמריקניים מתרגש "18 שנים חיכיתי לזה" pic.twitter.com/s4VoMfMhaF

— איתי בלומנטל 🇮🇱 Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) December 27, 2024

The missile launch from Yemen is believed to be linked to the Houthi movement, which has increasingly targeted Israel in recent months, framing their attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Israel, in turn, launched airstrikes on multiple sites in Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport, on December 26, killing at least six people, according to Houthi media reports.

The Houthis have previously fired drones and missiles at Israeli targets, prompting the deployment of the THAAD system as part of a broader US effort to bolster Israel’s air defense capabilities. The THAAD system, developed by Lockheed Martin, forms a crucial component of the United States’ multi-layered missile defense strategy and adds to Israel’s already advanced missile defense infrastructure.

In response to Israeli airstrikes on Yemen, the United Nations’ top aid official, Julien Harneis, expressed concern over the impact of the destruction of Sanaa airport, which is a vital civilian infrastructure used by international aid organizations. Harneis emphasized that the airport had not been a military target since 2016, urging all parties to ensure they do not target civilian facilities. He warned that disabling the airport would severely disrupt humanitarian operations in Yemen, where more than 18 million people already depend on aid.

The conflict in Yemen has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with worsening economic conditions expected to push the number of people in need of aid to 19 million by next year. Harneis also highlighted the critical importance of the Hodeidah port, a key lifeline for food imports to Yemen, stressing that any damage to this civilian facility would result in further suffering for the Yemeni population.

By Vafa Guliyeva