Israeli Air Force Intercepts Missile Launched by Yemen's Houthis

On Saturday morning, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the Israeli Air Force successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen by the Houthi rebels. The missile triggered rocket sirens across central Israel, including in major cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Despite the alarms, Israel's emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, confirmed that there were no reports of a rocket impact or injuries. The organization noted a few cases of people who had fallen while rushing to protected areas in response to the sirens, but no additional harm was reported.

The interception was part of Israel's ongoing defense efforts to protect the country from missile and rocket threats. The missile was intercepted before it could reach its intended target, ensuring the safety of Israeli civilians in the affected areas.

In a related story, satellite imagery reveals the near completion of a mysterious airstrip on Abd al-Kuri Island, part of Yemen's Socotra Archipelago, a region already heavily influenced by geopolitical interests. This airstrip, located near the Gulf of Aden, could become a crucial site for military operations, especially given the volatile situation in Yemen and the strategic significance of the surrounding waters.

As Yemen’s war drags on, with the Houthi rebels backed by Iran continuing to target shipping routes, including those in the Red Sea, the UAE has been suspected of building the airstrip as part of its broader military presence in the region. Abd al-Kuri Island’s location provides a potential base for monitoring and disrupting weapon smuggling operations that fuel the conflict.

The airstrip is not the only recent development in the region. Similar expansion projects in Mocha and Dhubab highlight the growing military infrastructure in a country deeply embroiled in war, with major players like the UAE and Saudi Arabia backing local forces against the Houthis. The UAE’s involvement in these developments, particularly in Socotra, has sparked tensions with the Houthi rebels, who accuse the Emirates of attempting to establish dominance in the region.