Yemen’s Houthi militant group issued a warning to international airlines after it launched a missile that landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, May 4, sparking global concern over aviation safety in the region. The incident disrupted air traffic and led to flight cancellations that continued into Monday.
Why did the Houthis attack Israel?
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the missile launch and warned international airlines to halt all scheduled flights to Israeli airports. The Iranian-backed group stated that failure to comply with this demand could endanger both aircraft and crew members.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reports the Houthis have launched dozens of missile attacks targeting Israel in recent weeks. These actions are intended to support and express solidarity with the Palestinian cause during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In addition to missile strikes, the Houthis have intensified efforts to enforce a naval blockade in the Red Sea, and have said ships affiliated with U.S. arms manufacturers may be targeted.
How did the missile nearly hit Israel’s airport?
The IDF stated that the missile, which struck an access road near the airport, was not intercepted by military personnel due to a technical malfunction in the country’s missile defense system. However, the IDF added, “No failure was found in the detection process, operation of the interception and warning systems to the home front.”
How is the US reacting?
In response to recent Houthi actions, the United States has conducted airstrikes on the group’s positions in Yemen. Additionally, American officials have issued warnings to Iran, urging the country to stop supporting the Houthis amid accusations the country is supplying them with weapons and intelligence.
What is Iran’s position on the conflict?
Iran, however, maintains that the Houthis are operating independently and has dismissed U.S. requests to stop supporting the group, stating that the U.S. has no right to dictate Iranian foreign policy. Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh has also stated that any military attacks on Iranian interests will be met with retaliation.
What happens next?
Following Sunday’s missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement on X, saying “the whole world is being challenged by the Houthis.” The statement also indicated that Israel intends to take “very strong action against them.”
“We will do what we need to do to take care of our security to respond effectively and to give Iran due warning that this cannot continue,” Netanyahu’s office said.
