Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed to possess a new hypersonic missile, as reported by Russia's state media. This development could potentially escalate their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding areas amidst Israel's conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. While the report lacks concrete evidence, the Houthis have been hinting at surprises to counter the United States and its allies in battles at sea.
The hypersonic missile, capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and running on solid fuel, poses a significant challenge to air defense systems used by the U.S. and its allies, including Israel. Hypersonic weapons, flying at speeds exceeding Mach 5, present challenges due to their speed and maneuverability, making interception difficult.
Russia, closely tied to Iran, has been closely monitoring Yemen's civil war between the Iran-backed Houthis and the Yemeni government supported by a Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis, who seized Yemen's capital in 2014, have acquired newer missiles despite lacking indigenous manufacturing capabilities, with Iran suspected of arming them.
Iran, which also claims to possess hypersonic weapons, unveiled its Fattah missile in June. The recent Houthi attacks on ships have raised concerns, with a fatal attack on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden marking a significant escalation. The question remains about the maneuverability of hypersonic weapons and their effectiveness against moving targets like ships.
As tensions rise in the region, the international community closely watches the developments in Yemen and the potential implications of hypersonic missile capabilities in the ongoing conflicts.
