(Reuters) – An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a missile for the first time since President Joe Biden deployed the system in Israel in October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.
The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, system has been used to try to intercept missiles from Yemen in the past 24 hours, and analysis will determine its success, the source said on condition of anonymity.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Thursday, Israel attacked several targets linked to the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport, with Houthi media reporting that at least six people were killed.
The Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles at Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In October, Biden deployed the THAAD system, built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: ), in Israel along with about 100 American soldiers who help defend the country.
THAAD is a critical part of the US military’s multi-layered air defense systems and is added to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defenses.
