Red Sea long-range missile intercepted by Arrow system — IDF

The Arrow air defense system intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched from the “Red Sea area” at Israel, the military says.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces says that Air Force systems tracked the missile’s trajectory, and intercepted it “at the most appropriate operational time and location.”

The missile is believed to have been launched by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, aimed for the southernmost city of Eilat.

Illustrative: Two Arrow 3 interceptors are launched during a test of the missile defense system on January 18, 2022. (Defense Ministry)

It marks the first operational use of the long-range Arrow defense system in the current war, the army says.

The IDF adds that this morning, fighter jets downed other “hostile targets” — believed to be drones — that were flying in the Red Sea area.

“All the threats were intercepted outside the territory of the State of Israel. No intrusion into Israeli territory was detected,” the IDF adds.