Watch: Houthis Launch First Domestically-Built Hypersonic Missile To Hit Ship In Arabian Sea

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis stated on June 26, 2024, that they had launched a domestically built hypersonic missile to strike a cargo ship in the Arabian Sea.

The disclosure comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia and a series of attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea and nearby areas.

In a video statement, the Houthis showcased the launch of the hypersonic missile, known as “Hadim 2”, from a mobile platform in an undisclosed deserted location.

The footage revealed a long, yellow rocket with Roman numerals on the fins.

According to the group, the Hadim 2 is a solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile built by the Houthi military facilities, and this marks its first public appearance.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on MSC Sarah V, a Liberian-flagged vessel.

Yahya Saree the group’s spokesperson revealed that the missile hit the ship directly and accurately and described the vessel as Israel-related.

However, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center claimed that the ship was attacked but not hit and the crew was unharmed.

The vessel was 246 nautical miles off Yemen’s Nishtun when it continued to its next port of call.

The attack which occurred on June 24, 2024, is part of the Houthis’ escalated campaign against regional maritime targets.

Yemen’s Houthis have claimed to have attacked an Israeli-linked ship in the Arabian sea, using a domestically-produced hypersonic missile pic.twitter.com/rM4b4UyTYf

— RT (@RT_com) June 27, 2024

Video Credits: @RT_com/X (Twitter)

The group states that these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This incident follows the Houthis’ successful hypersonic missile test in March, during which they claimed the missile could reach Mach 8 (6,200 miles per hour).

Hypersonic missiles, which travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, pose significant challenges to missile defense systems due to their velocity and mobility.

The Houthis’ claims, however, remain unverified, and there are suspicions of Iranian cooperation in their missile technology due to similarities with Iranian munitions such as the Fattah-1.

Since November, the Houthis have expanded their attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, using both drones and missiles.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and global seafarers’ unions have urged governments and shipping corporations to strengthen protection measures for vessels in the region.

Analysts expect that the Red Sea maritime issue will continue throughout the first part of next year, with over 120 merchant vessels targeted in the last seven months.

The ITF has called for coordinated efforts to protect seafarers, encouraging shipping companies to reroute ships and flag states to instruct diversions to avoid dangerous waters.

The situation remains tense, with concerns of future attacks and disruptions in one of the world’s most crucial maritime routes.

Reference: Xinhua, WION

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Source: Maritime Shipping News