U.S. anti-missile THAAD system in Israel used to intercept projectile from Yemen
The Hindu
U.N. aid official comments on U.S. anti-missile system used in Israel, warns of humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a projectile for the first time since President Joe Biden placed the system in Israel in October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday (December 27, 2024).
The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, was used to try to intercept a projectile from Yemen sometime during the last 24 hours, and analysis would determine its success, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday (December 26, 2024), including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media said at least six people were killed.
Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In October, President Biden placed the THAAD system, built by Lockheed Martin, in Israel along with about 100 U.S. soldiers to help defend the country. THAAD is critical to the U.S. military's layered air defence systems and added to Israel's already formidable anti-missile defenses.
After the Israeli airstrikes the top U.N. aid official in Yemen, Julien Harneis, said on Friday (December 27, 2024) that Sanaa airport was civilian infrastructure used by international aid workers to access the north of Yemen, warning: "If that airport is disabled, it will paralyze humanitarian operations."
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