On June 26, 2024, Yemen’s Houthi forces released footage showcasing the deployment of a “homemade hypersonic missile,” identified as the “Hatem-2,” against an Israeli ship in the Arabian Sea. This operation, conducted in conjunction with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeted the MSC Manzanillo in Haifa port, as reported by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree.
With the unveiling of Yemen’s new Hypersonic Ballistic Missile “Hatem-2”
Yemen has proudly joined the ranks of the top five countries in manufacturing precision hypersonic ballistic missiles.
At this lightning-fast pace, the U.S. & U.K. should promptly cease the criminal… pic.twitter.com/pNPkI62NyV
— مصطفى الخطيب (@alkhatib_YE) June 26, 2024
The footage released by the Yemeni Armed Forces depicts the missile launch and claims it accurately struck its target, the MSC Sarah V. This marks the first public revelation of the Hatem-2 missile, which boasts solid-fuel propulsion, an intelligent control system, and high maneuverability. The missile, developed by the Yemeni Military Manufacturing Authority, is said to have multiple generations with varying ranges.
This missile strike represents one of the longest-range attacks executed by the Houthis. Markus Schiller, a missile technology expert, noted the missile’s design similarities to Iranian models, specifically the Fattah family of missiles, which Iran claims can reach speeds up to Mach 13.
The attack on the MSC Sarah V, a Greek-managed vessel, reportedly linked to Israel, was confirmed by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which noted an explosion near the ship’s hull. Despite the damage, the vessel continued its journey, indicating it remained functional.
While the Houthi rebels assert the Hatem-2 is locally manufactured, its advanced features and resemblance to Iranian designs raise questions about the extent of external support. The term “hypersonic” has been used to describe the missile, though experts like Schiller suggest it is more of a buzzword aimed at generating hype.
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