Houthi Arsenal, Linked to Iran, Poses Threat to Israel

The Houthi rebel group in Yemen possesses an arsenal of cruise missiles and drones with Iranian ties, capable of reaching Israel, according to a report in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. The arsenal includes weapons like the Qasef-1, Soumar, and Quds-1, which expand the threat from Yemen to Israel.

The Qasef-1 drone, claimed by the Houthis in 2017 to be domestically produced, is largely identical in its components to Iran's Ababil series of drones. Analysis indicates that while it uses a Chinese-made engine, the rest of its parts are of Iranian origin. This drone has a one-way range of approximately 250 kilometers and can carry a payload of about 30 kilograms.

The report also examines cruise missiles in the Houthi arsenal, including the Iranian "Ya Ali" and versions of the Soviet Kh-55 missile, known as Soumar. While the exact origin of some weapons remains debated, the Houthis have previously used cruise missiles and drones against targets in Gulf countries. The United States has previously displayed parts of Iranian missiles and drones used by the Houthis, identifying them as "flying bombs" or suicide drones.

The Quds-1 cruise missile, based on the Kh-55, is estimated to have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers. This extended range means that launch points in Yemen could theoretically strike targets as far away as Israel and parts of East Africa, transforming a local conflict into a broader regional threat.

Experts cited in the report suggest that Iran is the source of the technological capability enabling the Houthis to conduct precise attacks. This development significantly increases the economic and geopolitical risks associated with the conflict in Yemen, as the Houthis are no longer just a local force but a regional threat.