SANA'A — Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched ballistic missiles toward Israel on Saturday, marking their first attack on the country since the start of the month-long U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and widening the regional fighting.
Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for a barrage of missiles targeting "sensitive Israeli military sites" in southern Israel. The group described the strikes as its initial military operation in support of Iran and pledged to continue such actions. A second wave involving missiles and drones followed within 24 hours, according to Houthi statements.
The Israeli military said its aerial defense systems intercepted a missile launched from Yemen early Saturday, with no casualties or damage reported from the initial attack. A drone aimed at the southern city of Eilat was also intercepted, officials said. The attacks represent the first direct fire from Yemen toward Israel since the broader conflict began on Feb. 28.
The Houthis have previously targeted Israel with missiles and drones in past years, and attacked more than 100 merchant vessels in the Red Sea from late 2023, sinking two ships and killing several sailors. Those actions disrupted global shipping routes until a period of relative calm. Concerns have now risen that the group could resume attacks on vessels near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key chokepoint at the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The latest strikes come as U.S. and Israeli forces continue operations against Iranian military sites, nuclear facilities and leadership targets. Iranian retaliatory actions have included missile launches and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have sharply reduced oil tanker traffic. The conflict has spread to involve Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and now the Houthis in Yemen.
More than 2,500 additional U.S. Marines have arrived in the Middle East in recent weeks to bolster regional forces. Diplomatic efforts, including talks hosted by Pakistan, have continued in an attempt to reach a ceasefire, though no agreement has been announced.
As of Monday, the Israeli military maintained heightened alert levels for potential further launches from Yemen. Houthi officials stated that operations would persist until what they called aggression against Iran and its allies ended. No immediate reports of renewed Houthi attacks on commercial shipping emerged, though maritime security firms have warned of increased risks in the Red Sea.
