Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a ballistic missile attack on southern Israel early Saturday, marking the group’s first direct involvement in the ongoing war linked to Iran. Following the attack, warning sirens sounded in Beersheba and surrounding areas, according to Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel.
In a statement, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they struck “sensitive military targets” in Israel using a barrage of ballistic missiles. However, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that one missile fired from Yemen was successfully intercepted by its air defense system.
Earlier, on Friday night, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree issued a warning in a televised address. He stated that if any other country sides with the United States and Israel against Iran, or if the Red Sea is used to launch attacks on the Islamic Republic, the Houthis are prepared to intervene militarily.
Saree also warned that if new members join the US-Israel alliance against Iran and its allies, “our fingers will remain on the trigger.”
The Houthis’ direct participation has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Due to their strategic position along the Red Sea and their long-range strike capabilities, they have the ability to disrupt global shipping routes.
Although Iran-aligned Shia allies in Lebanon and Iraq have already joined the conflict, the Houthis had previously refrained from direct attacks. After Hamas carried out its October 7, 2023 attack, the Houthis began targeting international shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians. However, they halted those attacks following a US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October 2025.
In the current situation, Saree has called for an immediate halt to US and Israeli attacks in Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq. He also urged the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and warned against imposing any new blockade on Yemen.
