Iran-Supplied Houthi Weapons Capable of Reaching Israel, Experts Say
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Houthi rebels in Yemen are equipped with Iranian-made drones and cruise missiles, drawing comparisons to Nazi Germany's "weapons of vengeance." Experts like Sean Gallagher state that the Qasef-1 drone and missiles like the Ya Ali and Soumar, an adaptation of the Soviet Kh-55, have components and technology originating from Iran. These weapons, with ranges up to 2,500 kilometers for some missiles, theoretically allow the Houthis to strike targets as far as Israel, significantly increasing regional risks.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Houthi rebels possess Iranian-made drones and cruise missiles comparable to Nazi Germany's "weapons of vengeance."
- The Qasef-1 drone, used since 2017, has components almost identical to Iran's Ababil series, according to experts.
- Iranian cruise missiles, like the Soumar (based on the Soviet Kh-55), can theoretically reach Israel from Yemen.
- Expert Sean Gallagher states that Iran provides the technological basis for the Houthis' precision strike capabilities.
- The Houthi arsenal's expanded range poses significant geopolitical risks beyond the immediate region.
- Nazi Germany's World War II "weapons of vengeance" included the V-1, V-2, and V-3, primarily targeting Britain.
Houthi rebels in Yemen possess a growing arsenal of Iranian-made drones and cruise missiles that Western experts are comparing to the "weapons of vengeance" used by Nazi Germany during World War II. These long-range systems are designed to strike cities and civilian areas, extending the Houthis' reach far beyond Yemen's borders, according to reports citing American scientific and technological publications.
Key among these weapons is the "Qasef-1" drone, which experts like Sean Gallagher, a journalist and national security expert, state is virtually identical in its components to Iran's "Ababil" series drones. While the Houthis claimed in 2017 to produce the Qasef-1 domestically, Gallagher asserts that all its components, except for a Chinese-made engine, originate from Iran. This drone has a range of approximately 250 kilometers and can carry a 30-kilogram payload. It has been used since at least 2017, according to the UK's Conflict Armament Research, including attacks on Patriot missile defense radar sites in the Persian Gulf.
Cruise missiles in the Houthi arsenal include the "Ya Ali" and "Soumar" missiles. The Soumar is an Iranian version of the Soviet Kh-55 missile, which Iran acquired in 2001 and adapted for ground launches. Reports indicate that Iranian missiles based on the Kh-55 can travel up to 2,500 kilometers, theoretically enabling them to reach targets as far as Israel and much of East Africa from Yemen.
Gallagher emphasizes that regardless of who launches the specific weapon, the technological foundation for these precision strikes comes from Iran. The development of the Houthi arsenal, including long-range cruise missiles and kamikaze drones, significantly elevates the geopolitical risks associated with the Yemen conflict, expanding the potential geographic scope of Houthi threats.
During World War II, Nazi Germany's "weapons of vengeance" included the V-1 flying bomb, the V-2 ballistic missile, and the V-3 artillery system. These were primarily used against Britain between 1944 and 1945, causing approximately 18,000 deaths, mostly civilians. The article notes that the Houthi use of drones and missiles against civilian targets in the Persian Gulf is not new, with previous attention focused on Scud missiles and their Iranian modifications.
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