Houthis remain undeterred as missile attacks continue to bedevil Israel, US - analysis

The Iranian-backed Houthis launched two long-range missiles at Israel on Thursday. The attack was an attempt to showcase that they can fire multiple missiles in broad daylight, even as US airstrikes continue to hit them. The Houthis have been attacking Israel for more than a year, using ballistic missiles and drones. They have also attacked ships in the Red Sea. Nevertheless, their most recent attack was another example of their escalation.

The missile attack took place in the afternoon, as some parents would have been picking up their children, and as other kids were transitioning to afternoon activities. This is the second attack in a week designed to terrorize Israelis, the first was on Sunday at 7:20 a.m., which was timed to coincide with parents dropping off their children at school. The Houthis want to demonstrate that they can attack at the time and place of their choosing. Firing two missiles highlighted a new level of attack that is designed to demonstrate their capabilities despite being the target of intensifying US airstrikes since March 15.

The Houthis appear to be keeping their missiles in underground bunkers, and these areas are hard to find and strike. Ballistic missiles can be disguised in the back of flatbed trucks and carried inside of a type of shipping container, for instance, as showcased by the Iranians in the past. It is likely this kind of disguise may have made it to Yemen. In addition, it is notoriously hard to find rocket launchers. During the Gulf War in 1991, the US tried to stop Scud missile attacks against Israel that were launched by Saddam Hussein’s regime from Anbar Province in western Iraq.  (Read More)