In first, US THAAD system deployed in Israel participated in last night’s Houthi missile interception

An American missile defense system battery that was deployed by the US in Israel in October participated in the interception of a Houthi ballistic missile launched at Israel from Yemen overnight.

The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, was used to try to intercept a projectile from Yemen sometime during the last 24 hours, and an analysis would determine its success, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

It is the first time that the THAAD system deployed in Israel has been used.

Footage posted to social media shows the THAAD system launching an interceptor amid the Houthi attack.

“18 years I’ve been waiting for this,” an American soldier can be heard saying in the clip.

The IDF said the Houthi missile was intercepted by air defenses, without specifying if it was an Israeli or American system.

The THAAD battery was deployed in Israel following Iran’s October 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel.

מערכת ה- THAAD האמריקנית לקחה חלק ביירוט הטיל הבליסטי ששוגר אמש מתימן. אפשר לשמוע את אחד החיילים האמריקניים מתרגש "18 שנים חיכיתי לזה" pic.twitter.com/s4VoMfMhaF

— איתי בלומנטל ???????? Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) December 27, 2024