Houthis Claim Having a New Hypersonic Missile Escalating Red Sea Crisis

According to a report published by Russian official media, the Yemeni Houthis claimed that they possess a new hypersonic missile. This might elevate the stakes in ongoing attacks on vessels sailing in the Red Sea and adjacent waterways, especially given Israel’s current war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The RIA Novosti story cited an anonymous official but provided no proof to support the claim. It comes through as Moscow continues to maintain a counter-Western foreign policy amid the war on Ukraine.

However, the Houthis have been signalling for weeks that they intend to fight at sea to confront the US as well as its allies, which have so far been able to take down missiles/bomb-carrying drones that approach their warships in Middle Eastern waters.

Iran, the main benefactor of Houthis, claims to boast a hypersonic missile and has armed the rebels with missiles they are using currently. A hypersonic missile within their arsenal might pose an even larger threat to the air defence systems used by America along with its allies, including Israel.

As a military official connected to the Houthis reported, the group’s missile forces have tested a missile capable of reaching Mach 8 speeds and powered by solid fuel. The Houthis intend to start manufacturing it to use it during operations in the Red Sea as well as the Gulf of Aden, in addition to against Israel’s key targets.

Mach 8 is approximately eight times the speed of sound. Russia has been maintaining close ties with Iran, depending on Iran’s bomb-carrying drones for targeting Ukraine.

Russia’s state media, notably its Arabic-language service, has reported on Yemen’s years-long civil war, which pits Iran-supported Houthis against forces loyal to the internationally acclaimed Yemeni government that is strongly backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

Reference: Business Standard

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Source: Maritime Shipping News