The launch of the missile from Yemen toward the center of Israel is a reminder that the Houthi threat hasn’t disappeared. However, given Israel’s security challenges, especially on the northern front, it’s prudent to allow the international coalition to continue managing this threat.
The ballistic missile fired from Yemen this morning should not surprise anyone. The Houthis have repeatedly threatened retaliation against Israel following the severe damage to the Hodeida Port by the Israeli Air Force. Since the attack, the Houthis have been trying to exact their revenge, but the efforts of the international coalition led by the United States have disrupted these attempts—until today. This is serious and demonstrates that despite all efforts to counter them, the Houthis not only have the capacity to strike Israel but have also upgraded their launch abilities to reach the center of the country. This development increases the potential threat from the Houthis to Israel, adding to the existing threat of the UAVs, which have already proven lethal in previous attacks, including the one on Tel Aviv before the Air Force’s operation in Hodeida.
However, despite this morning’s launch, it’s important not to overstate the significance of the Houthi threat. The continuous activities of the international coalition against the Houthis make it very difficult for them to carry out their threats. Moreover, recent tensions on the northern border, especially the risk of escalating into a broader conflict, should remain Israel’s security priority even after today’s incident.
Israel has already shown that it can inflict severe damage on the Houthis, but it’s doubtful whether future strikes would change the resolve of the Yemeni terrorist organization to attack Israel. Therefore, even if Israel decides to respond to the serious incident, it would be unwise to divert the focus away from the campaign in the north. Any action Israel takes in Yemen, regardless of its scale, is unlikely to stop further attacks from Yemen. Today’s missile launch underscores the complexity of the threats facing Israel and the need to operate within a coalition framework. While the coalition may not be destroying the infrastructure in Yemen, its actions effectively counter the Houthis’ attempts to launch attacks.
Looking ahead, it’s crucial to address the Houthis’ buildup of power, especially by severing their ties to Iran, which supports their military capabilities, especially their ballistic ones.
The launch of the missile from Yemen toward the center of Israel is a reminder that the Houthi threat hasn’t disappeared. However, given Israel’s security challenges, especially on the northern front, it’s prudent to allow the international coalition to continue managing this threat.
The ballistic missile fired from Yemen this morning should not surprise anyone. The Houthis have repeatedly threatened retaliation against Israel following the severe damage to the Hodeida Port by the Israeli Air Force. Since the attack, the Houthis have been trying to exact their revenge, but the efforts of the international coalition led by the United States have disrupted these attempts—until today. This is serious and demonstrates that despite all efforts to counter them, the Houthis not only have the capacity to strike Israel but have also upgraded their launch abilities to reach the center of the country. This development increases the potential threat from the Houthis to Israel, adding to the existing threat of the UAVs, which have already proven lethal in previous attacks, including the one on Tel Aviv before the Air Force’s operation in Hodeida.
However, despite this morning’s launch, it’s important not to overstate the significance of the Houthi threat. The continuous activities of the international coalition against the Houthis make it very difficult for them to carry out their threats. Moreover, recent tensions on the northern border, especially the risk of escalating into a broader conflict, should remain Israel’s security priority even after today’s incident.
Israel has already shown that it can inflict severe damage on the Houthis, but it’s doubtful whether future strikes would change the resolve of the Yemeni terrorist organization to attack Israel. Therefore, even if Israel decides to respond to the serious incident, it would be unwise to divert the focus away from the campaign in the north. Any action Israel takes in Yemen, regardless of its scale, is unlikely to stop further attacks from Yemen. Today’s missile launch underscores the complexity of the threats facing Israel and the need to operate within a coalition framework. While the coalition may not be destroying the infrastructure in Yemen, its actions effectively counter the Houthis’ attempts to launch attacks.
Looking ahead, it’s crucial to address the Houthis’ buildup of power, especially by severing their ties to Iran, which supports their military capabilities, especially their ballistic ones.