Houthis Unveil Missile Similar to Iran's 'Hypersonic' Missile

On Thursday, June 7, the Associated Press reported that the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by the Iranian government, unveiled a new solid-fuel missile in their arsenal that resembles a missile previously showcased by the Islamic Republic of Iran and described as 'hypersonic.' The Houthis launched this new missile, named 'Palestine,' towards the Israeli port of Eilat on Monday, triggering air raid sirens, but no reports of damage or casualties have been released. Images released by the Houthis late Wednesday show the missile rising from a mobile launcher and being quickly launched with white smoke billowing from its engine. According to the Associated Press, white smoke is common in solid-fuel missiles. Solid-fuel missiles, which are faster than liquid-fuel missiles, are more effective for Houthi missile attacks as their launch sites have been targeted multiple times by the United States and its allies due to attacks on ships in the Red Sea in recent months. The Houthis claim that the 'Palestine' missile is their own creation. However, this militia group, which controls parts of Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, lacks the capability to manufacture complex guided missile systems. The Iranian government has armed the Houthis despite a United Nations arms embargo during the Gaza war. While Iran claims it does not supply weapons to the Houthis, weapons, missile fuel, and components made by the Iranian government have been found on ships seized by the United States and its allies. Although Iranian media described the 'Palestine' missile as a Houthi creation, the design elements on the missile resemble other missiles manufactured by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the 'Fattah' missile. The Islamic Republic's representation at the United Nations did not immediately respond to the Associated Press's request for comment on the similarity between the 'Palestine' missile and the 'Fattah' missile. Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel; the Houthis also claimed to have targeted the port of Eilat. Australia has listed the Iranian-backed Houthis as 'terrorist organizations.' An American destroyer destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile over the Red Sea. The Houthis claimed to have conducted six operations in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Tensions with the Houthis have escalated; the United States has extended the mission of its aircraft carrier strike group. New EU sanctions against nine individuals and entities; the commander of the Quds Force and the Minister of Defense have been sanctioned.