Houthi rebels launched missiles at US F-16 fighter jets for the first time.

Reuters reported on February 22nd, citing two US officials, that Houthi forces in Yemen fired surface-to-air missiles at a US fighter jet and an MQ-9 drone, but both missed their targets.

Houthi missiles were reportedly launched toward Israel in an incident in 2024.

The attacks took place this week and it is unclear whether they occurred in the Red Sea or in Yemeni airspace. Despite the missed shots, US officials believe the Houthi rebels are improving their targeting capabilities.

Fox News reported that the missile was launched at a US F-16 fighter jet on February 19, while the aircraft was flying over Yemeni airspace but outside Houthi-controlled territory. This is believed to be the first time the Houthis have launched a surface-to-air missile at a US F-16 aircraft.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared on February 13 that he would use missiles and drones against ships in the Red Sea if the US and Israel forced Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip.

US President Donald Trump sparked outrage when he announced his plan to take over the Gaza Strip and permanently remove Palestinians from the area. The plan was opposed by Arab countries in the region such as Jordan and Egypt.

A fighter jet takes off from an aircraft carrier participating in the US-led air campaign against the Houthi rebels in January 2024.

The Houthi rebels, allies of Iran, have carried out numerous attacks on ships off the coast of Yemen since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis also frequently launch missiles toward Israel.

In his first week in office, President Trump reclassified the Houthi rebels as a foreign terrorist organization. The White House stated it would work with regional partners to eliminate the Houthi's capabilities, deplete their resources, and end their attacks on U.S. forces, partners, and maritime operations in the Red Sea.

Israel launches airstrikes against Hezbollah.

A photo of the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah at a stadium in Beirut before his funeral on February 23.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the Israeli military on February 22nd launched an airstrike on a cross-border route between Syria and Lebanon that Hezbollah used to transport weapons into Lebanon, according to AFP. The Israeli military stated that this arms shipment violated an agreement between the two countries.

Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement in November 2024. Under the agreement, Israel withdrew its troops from most of southern Lebanon, and Beirut's army and UN peacekeeping forces entered the area to ensure security. Hezbollah also withdrew its troops north of the Litani River in Lebanon, about 30 km from the border, and destroyed remaining military infrastructure in the south.

The Israeli airstrike took place just before Hezbollah's funeral for its late leader Hassan Nasrallah on February 23. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike south of Beirut about five months ago.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/houthi-lan-dau-phong-ten-lua-ve-phia-tiem-kich-f-16-my-185250223090201848.htm