Middle East: As the military and strategic momentum of Yemen’s support for Gaza intensifies, the Yemeni Armed Forces have once again focused their missile operations on a critical network of high-value targets deep within the Israeli entity, including Haifa, Ashkelon, occupied Jaffa, and the Negev Desert.

In recent days, several effective missile strikes were carried out on sensitive military bases and installations of the Israeli enemy—most notably, a direct attack on the strategic Nevatim Airbase in the Negev Desert using two long-range hypersonic missiles.

Located just 16 kilometers from the Dimona nuclear facility, Nevatim is considered one of Israel’s most important and largest airbases. It hosts two transport aircraft squadrons, a refueling aircraft squadron, stealth fighters, reconnaissance jets such as the Gulfstream G550 and G500, and early warning and control systems (AEW&C).

The base is equipped with the latest aerial warfare technologies and serves as a hub for long-range offensive operations. It also houses Squadron 140, the first Israeli unit to operate the F-35I Adir fighter jet, a modified version of the American F-35. Additionally, the base contains aircraft maintenance facilities, electronic warfare development centers, and command-and-control systems, making it a central operational brain of the Israeli Air Force.

Strategic Impact and Consequences

Despite Israel’s extensive use of missile defense systems such as the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow, and US-supplied THAAD systems, these layers have failed to provide effective protection for critical strategic infrastructure like Nevatim.

Even a partial strike on this base represents a severe psychological and military blow to Israel, given its symbolic and practical role in air superiority. Damage to runways or maintenance centers could impair the operational readiness of the F-35 fleet, potentially grounding aircraft or compromising missions during critical moments.

Redirecting missile fire toward such high-level targets marks a significant escalation in strategic pressure against the Israeli enemy. It poses a direct challenge to its air force readiness and has thrown both Israeli and American defense experts into confusion and anxiety as missile defense systems continue to underperform.

Notably, the advanced US systems recently deployed to Nevatim and other bases—including THAAD and electromagnetic technologies—have failed to provide meaningful protection against Yemen’s hypersonic missile attacks. These missiles continue to strike deep inside occupied Palestine from ranges exceeding 2,200 kilometers, bypassing all defensive layers with ease and precision.

Translated by Almasirah English website