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On July 19, 2024, Iran-backed Yemen's Ansar Allah Movement (the Houthi) claimed responsibility for a drone attack carried out by the group's operatives on Tel Aviv, Israel's second-largest city. The attack killed an Israeli citizen and injured 10 others.
On July 23, Houthi's official channel on Telegram released a two-minute video featuring the drone, which the group dubbed, "Yaffa," used in the attack.
The video presented exclusive footage of the drone, displayed in an exhibition in an undisclosed location, or online. The video also featured an infographic listing the drone's specifications, along with a documentation of its launching in the attack on Tel Aviv.
An "Exceptional" Exhibition For "Yaffa"
The video began with an introductory text that reads: "The inaugural exhibition ceremony for the locally made drone 'Yaffa,' and its use to strike the so-called capital [sic] of the Zionist entity, in response to the crimes of genocide against the Palestinian people."
The video then shows the drone from multiple angles, showcasing graphics placed on its wings and sides, including a "map of Palestine"; the Arabic word "Yaffa"; the Houthi and Palestinian flags, and an Arabic text that reads: "Made in Yemen."
In the exhibition, the drone was surrounded by two posters featuring images of Houthi leader Abd Al-Malik Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi, and Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, the founder of the group.
In between the posters, a verse from Quran is displayed and read: "Prepare against them what you believers can of military power and cavalry to deter Allah's enemies and your enemies. Surah Al-Anfal (06)."
The Houthi slogan, "Allah Akbar, Death to America, Death to Israel, A Curse Upon the Jews, Victory to Islam," is displayed next to the verse along with a text that read: "Boycott American and Israeli Products."
Drone's Specifications
The video featured an infographic detailing the drone's specifications, claiming that the locally made "Yaffa" missile was designed with long range, multitasking features, and has the ability to carry a high explosive warhead, and is undetectable to radars and to air defenses.
The video concludes with footage documenting the launch of the drone on July 19 in the attack on Tel Aviv.
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