Yemen's Houthis fired missile at US fighter jet, drone, missed

Yemen's Houthi rebels launched surface-to-air missiles at a US fighter jet and an MQ-9 Reaper drone earlier this week, though neither was hit, according to two anonymous US officials.

The exact location of the attacks, whether over the Red Sea or Yemen itself, was not disclosed. However, one official suggested the strikes could indicate an improvement in the Houthis' targeting capabilities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Iran-backed group, warned in a televised address on February 13 that his forces would target US and Israeli assets in the Red Sea if efforts to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza were made.

Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that began on January 19, tensions have risen with both sides accusing each other of violations. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to permanently displace Palestinians from Gaza has sparked widespread anger in the Arab world.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on vessels off Yemen's coast in support of Palestinians in Gaza. These attacks, aimed at disrupting global shipping, have been part of their broader efforts in solidarity with Palestinian militants fighting Israel, following over 16 months of conflict in Gaza.

By Aghakazim Guliyev