Illustrative image, source: the Houthis media wing
Two ballistic missiles were launched from Yemen at Israel over the night of April 4 and 5, according to the Israeli Army Radio.
The first missile was launched shortly after 1 a.m. local time, while the second at around 10:30 a.m., the radio station said, claiming that both projectiles fell far from Israeli borders without causing damage.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has not yet cleared if the missiles failed, or were intercepted by its air defense outside Israeli airspace.
There was also no comment from the Houthis (Ansar Allah), which have been launching missiles and drones from Yemen at Israel for well over the year in response to the ongoing war and siege on the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
Earlier on April 4, the IDF said that a drone “launched from the east” was shot down over the southern Israeli area of Arava. The Houthis later released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, and claiming to have targeted a “military target” near the city of Tel Aviv in central Israel.
The United States military resumed strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on March 15 on orders from President Donald Trump, who said that the large-scale operation was launched in response to the group’s renewed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. In the following days, the group stepped up its strikes on Israel.
Since the start of the U.S. operation, at least 67 people, including commanders of the Houthis and civilians, have been reportedly killed.
The New York Times reported on April 4, citing informed officials, that the U.S. Department of Defense recognized that the operation against the Houthis is failing to achieve its goals and that it would have to spend about $1 billion a month to continue it.
The officials told the newspaper that the Pentagon considered the U.S. strikes on underground depots with ammunition, missiles, and drones to be ineffective. The Houthis have reinforced their underground structures and other facilities under attack, they added.
The U.S. has already spent $200 million in three weeks on munitions for strikes against the Houthis, excluding the costs associated with sending additional forces at sea and in the air, as well as the deployment of Patriot and THAAD air defense systems, according to the officials.
Taking all expenses into account, the operation in Yemen is projected to cost the US $1 billion per month. On top of that, the Pentagon will soon need to request additional funding from Congress.
Despite the high cost, Trump will not likely back down from the ongoing confrontation as this would be seen as a failure for his administration.
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