A US Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery was used to shoot down a Houthi missile fired at Israel earlier in the week, sources familiar with the operation said Friday. However, it is still unclear if the interception was successful.
The US deployed a second THAAD to Israel in October in what the Pentagon said was to help defend Americans in Israel from any ballistic missile attacks by Iran. The Pentagon said it would augment Israel’s integrated air defense system.
On Thursday night, the Houthis said they fired a missile at Ben Gurion airport and launched more drones at Tel Aviv. This came after Israeli air strikes hit the Sanaa International Airport and other targets in Yemen that they said were affiliated with the Houthis.
The Houthis have stepped up the tempo of attacks against Israel in recent weeks following a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah. On Friday, the White House said US strikes against the Houthis would continue for as long as the Iran-backed group still can threaten shipping lanes and Israel.
The Houthis began attacking ships in and around the Red Sea one year ago in what they said was a solidarity campaign with Palestinians in Gaza.
