Houthis are using weapons that can reach the Mediterranean Sea, US says

[sarisataka]

Houthis are using weapons that can reach the Mediterranean Sea, US says

The Houthi militants in Yemen have weapons that can reach as far as the Mediterranean Sea, according to a senior defense official, lending some credence to the group’s threats that it can expand its attacks on shipping beyond its immediate borders.

The U.S. government is concerned that the Iran-backed group has the capability to extend strikes on shipping beyond the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to the Mediterranean, said the official, who asked for anonymity to discuss private talks.

The official said Houthis have access to advanced weaponry and that their deployment of anti-ship ballistic missiles is virtually unprecedented. The group has also used drones in its attacks.

The assessment comes as defense officials from the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council meet Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The U.S. will seek to use the gathering to pursue further integration of air and missile defenses, including sharing radar data and developing early-warning capabilities.

https://gazette.com/ap/international/houthis-are-using-weapons-that-can-reach-the-mediterranean-sea-us-says/article_6e1d042e-d2db-56bd-a5d9-5b3b78f0ed8f.html

It's been quiet in the Red Sea. Or more likely just hasn't been reported. If they start attacking ships in the Med it might get notice again.

[dutch777]

1. It's one thing to have missiles that reach that far, it's another thing to have accurate targeting data. Where....

...are they getting that? Drones can go out and find a target in a general area, but missiles don't have that loitering and looking capability. Obviously the Iranian may be able to ID ships associated with Israel sailing in the Med but relaying accurate targeting data seems more difficult. Heck, they didn't even know exactly where their President's helicopter went down in their own country!

[sarisataka]

2. It is not difficult to find targets in the area

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:46.1/centery:18.4/zoom:4

The missiles just need terminal guidance on board when they get to the Med.

[Igel]

3. It's been reported.

Just not on DU because it's embarrassing.

We were going to stop it. We did ... somewhat.

Then the Lethe overflowed its banks into many newsrooms and DU and, somamnubulant, we zombied on.

But while the Houthi attack got no press, and did see some reduction (for reasons unrelated to the US, I'd suspect), they continued. Perhaps it's because Red Sea shipping traffic is way down, so it's a target impoverished area? Hey, that's crazy talk, right? We won, declared victory, and skedaddled off the radar.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/ukmto-reports-incident-76nm-northwest-yemens-hodeidah-2024-05-18/

I'm sure the missile caused absolutely no damage.

[WarGamer]

4. sounds like someone is justifying US strikes in a foreign country again.