According to Russian state media, the Houthis in Yemen have reportedly obtained a hypersonic missile which could heighten the danger of their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and nearby bodies of water. This is occurring as Israel is involved in a conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

According to the report from the government-controlled RIA Novosti news agency, an unidentified official made a statement without any supporting proof. This occurs as Moscow continues to pursue a confrontational foreign policy towards the West while engaging in a prolonged conflict with Ukraine.

Although the Houthis have suggested for weeks that they have surprises in store for the United States and its allies during naval battles, these forces have been successful in intercepting any missiles or drones carrying explosives that approach their warships in Middle Eastern waters.

Iran, the primary supporter of the Houthis, boasts about possessing a super-fast missile and has extensively supplied the rebels with these missiles that they currently utilize. Incorporating such a weapon into their arsenal may present a tougher obstacle for the air defense systems utilized by the United States and its allies, including Israel.

A military official who is familiar with the Houthis stated, according to the RIA report, that the group’s missile forces have passed a successful test of a missile fueled by solid materials that can reach speeds of Mach 8. The Houthis plan to produce this missile for use in attacks on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as targeting Israel.

Rewording: Mach 8 travels at a speed that is eight times faster than the speed of sound.

Russia has maintained strong relations with Iran, using Iranian drones equipped with explosives to attack Ukraine. The state-run Russian media, specifically their Arabic channels, have extensively covered the ongoing civil war in Yemen between the Houthis, backed by Iran, and the forces of the Yemeni government, supported by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia.

Weapons capable of flying faster than Mach 5, known as hypersonic weapons, may present significant difficulties for missile defense systems due to their high speeds and agile movements.

The potential threat posed by a hypersonic missile is influenced by its degree of maneuverability. While ballistic missiles follow a predictable path, making it easier for defense systems like the American Patriot to intercept them, the unpredictability of a hypersonic missile’s flight, with its capability of changing directions, makes it a harder target to intercept.

It is believed that both China and America are in pursuit of these weapons. Russia has professed to have already deployed them in Ukraine. However, having high speed and maneuverability does not guarantee a successful hit on a target. In May, Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down a hypersonic Kinzhal missile launched by Russia with a Patriot battery.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the elusive supreme leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, proudly discussed the rebels’ ongoing weapon initiatives in late February.

He cautioned that we have unexpected surprises for the enemies.

A week prior, he gave a similar warning: “Something greater is approaching.”

According to al-Houthi, the adversary will witness the significant accomplishments of our country’s strategic importance, positioning us among a select few nations in the world. He did not provide further details.

In 2014, following their capture of the capital city of Yemen, Sanaa, the Houthis looted government storage facilities that contained Scud missiles and other weapons from the Soviet Union.

Since the start of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen in 2015, the Houthis’ weapons stockpile has been highly sought after. Despite Yemen lacking the resources to produce missiles domestically, the rebels have managed to obtain more advanced missiles.

Iran has consistently denied providing weapons to the Houthis, perhaps due to a long-standing United Nations ban on arms trade with the rebel group. Nevertheless, the U.S. and its allies have intercepted several shipments of weapons destined for the rebels in Middle Eastern waters. Additionally, experts on weapons have traced Houthi weapons found on the battlefield to Iran.

It has been reported that Iran has announced the development of a hypersonic weapon named Fattah, which translates to “Conqueror” in Farsi. This comes after the country revealed a hypersonic missile in June, and reportedly has another in the works.

The U.N. mission of Iran did not provide a response to a Thursday request for comment, and the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain, responsible for patrolling Middle Eastern waters, also did not comment.

The Israeli military has been targeted by Houthi attacks during the ongoing conflict with Hamas, which began on October 7th when Hamas-affiliated fighters launched an assault on Israel. This attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of 250 others. The Israeli military has not provided a statement on the matter.

Since November, the Houthis have been targeting ships in order to pressure Israel to stop the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where there have been over 31,000 Palestinian fatalities. However, the recent attacks have not been solely directed towards Israel, the United States, or any other countries involved in the conflict.

However, the attacks have brought attention to the Houthis, a group predominantly comprised of Zaydi people who once controlled a kingdom in Yemen for 1,000 years until 1962. Utilizing a new weapon only adds to their prestige and creates additional strain on Israel following an unsuccessful cease-fire agreement in Gaza prior to the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

In March, a Houthi-launched missile hit a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden, resulting in the deaths of three crew members and causing the survivors to leave the ship. This was the first instance of the Houthis causing fatalities through their attack on a vessel.

Recently, the Houthi group has also been responsible for other actions, such as attacking a cargo ship named the Rubymar, which was transporting fertilizer and later sunk after being adrift for a few days. They have also shot down an American drone that was valued at millions of dollars.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, there was a recent alleged attack by the Houthis on a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. Fortunately, the vessel was not hit and sustained no damage.

According to Fabian Hinz, a missile specialist and research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, it would not be a shock if Iran provided the Houthis with a new, high-speed weapon. The main concern, however, is the weapon’s ability to navigate and successfully strike mobile targets, such as ships in the Red Sea.

Hinz suggested that it is possible that the Houthis possess a system with some level of maneuvering capabilities. He also stated that it is plausible for the Iranians to supply new equipment to the Houthis for testing purposes.

Source: wral.com