Yemen intercepts Israeli airstrike, responds with hypersonic missile, drone operation

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced that they had intercepted an Israeli airstrike targeting multiple locations in Yemen, and subsequently launched a retaliatory operation targeting sites in Israel.

In a statement delivered by military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e, the Armed Forces said that the country’s air defence systems successfully engaged incoming aircraft, forcing them to retreat after being targeted by domestically-produced surface-to-air missiles, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The statement also detailed a retaliatory joint operation by Yemen’s Rocketry Force and Air Force, which reportedly involved the launch of eleven missiles and one drone. Targets included Lod Airport (Ben Gurion International), a power station in Ashkelon, and the ports of Ashdod and Eilat (also known as Umm al-Rashrash). The operation reportedly used three hypersonic missiles and eight drones.

General Sare’e claimed that the projectiles reached their intended targets and were not intercepted by Israeli defence systems. He also reaffirmed Yemen’s readiness to respond to future military actions and stated that the country would continue its operations in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Tensions between Yemen and Israel have escalated significantly in recent weeks. On July 6, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah following a previous Yemeni missile strike on Lod Airport, which caused temporary disruptions and shelter warnings across parts of Israel.

The Israeli military has issued warnings to evacuate several key Yemeni ports, including Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and as-Salif, citing concerns over the use of these locations for military activities. These developments come amid Yemen’s efforts to enforce a naval blockade on vessels bound for Israeli-controlled ports, aiming to exert pressure by disrupting supply chains.

Yemen has stated that its operations are linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli military operations have resulted in high casualties. According to health officials in Gaza, more than 57,300 people have been killed since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023.

By Sabina Mammadli