Israel used the THAAD weapon for the first time to intercept Houthi missiles.

The U.S. military confirmed on Monday, local time, that it used a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery deployed in Israel following the missile attacks by Yemen's Houthis on Israel.

USED TO INTERCEPT HOUTHIE MISSILES

A U.S. official had stated last week to Al Arabiya English that a THAAD was used to intercept a Houthi missile. The U.S. deployed a second THAAD to Israel in October, announcing that it was to help protect Americans in Israel from any ballistic missile attacks from Iran. The Pentagon stated that the THAADs would strengthen Israel's integrated air defense system.

"WE CAN CONFIRM THAAD WAS USED IN RECENT DAYS"

When asked whether the U.S. had used THAAD again over the weekend to intercept Houthi missiles fired at Israel, a U.S. defense official said on Monday: "We can confirm that THAAD was used in recent days. However, we cannot provide any additional information beyond that."

HOUTHIS' ATTACKS ON ISRAEL HAVE INCREASED

In recent weeks, the Houthis have ramped up their attacks on Israel following the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah. On Friday, the White House stated that as long as the Iran-backed group continues to threaten shipping routes and Israel, U.S. attacks on the Houthis would continue.

WHAT IS THE THAAD DEFENSE SYSTEM?

This defense system is one of the U.S. military's most powerful anti-missile weapons and has the capacity to hit ballistic missiles at ranges of 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles) with a high success rate. It is defined as the only missile defense system capable of intercepting and destroying short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both within and outside the atmosphere during the terminal flight phase – that is, when the missile is diving towards its target.