In recent weeks, including Sunday morning’s attack on Ben-Gurion, the Houthis from Yemen have increased their launch of ballistic missiles toward Israel at the same time as the US has been carrying out waves of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Ynet quoted Israeli officials as saying: “The Americans are the ones who are acting. The fact that the Houthis are still launching missiles doesn’t mean much— the American operation is very effective.” Ynet military commentator Ron Ben Yishai noted that Israeli security officials estimate that the recent increase in the number of Houthi launches stems from the fact that the US has improved the quality of its intelligence in Yemen and the accuracy and efficiency of its attacks, targeting Houthi launch sites and missile and UAV depots. In addition, the US has succeeded in thwarting the smuggling of UAVs from Iran to Yemen, which has led to a severe depletion of the Houthis’  inventory. As a result, the Houthis are rushing to use their remaining inventory before the US attacks additional launch sites and UAV and missile depots. “The Houthis launch the missiles and UAVs when the sun is rising, because at night it is easier for the US to identify the launch flash and strike it with high accuracy,” Ben-Yishai wrote. “The Houthis are quick to launch before the system is destroyed.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)