Houthis warn attacks will continue amid regional escalation
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen has officially entered the ongoing Middle East conflict, launching its first missile attack against Israel early Saturday in a significant escalation of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The development comes as the US-Iran war marks 30 days since it began on February 28, raising fears that the conflict could spread across the wider region.
The Houthis, who had previously targeted Israel during the war in Gaza, had largely stayed out of the latest escalation. However, the latest strike signals the Yemen-based group’s direct entry into the conflict.
Houthis claim responsibility for missile launch
In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for launching the missile attack, according to reports by Reuters.
The group said its military operations would continue until what it described as “aggression” across the region comes to an end.
The war in West Asia began after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks and raising tensions across the Middle East.
Israel says missile launched from Yemen
According to the Israel Defense Forces, Israeli military systems detected a missile fired from Yemen toward Israeli territory early Saturday.
The military said air defence systems were activated to intercept the projectile, according to a report by Agence France-Presse.
Saree later stated that the Houthis fired a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting what he described as “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel.
Houthis had warned of intervention
The attack came just hours after Saree hinted that the group could enter the conflict.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Houthis warned they were prepared to act if what they described as escalation against Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” continued.
The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital Sanaa since 2014 and have been involved in a prolonged conflict with a Saudi-led coalition.
Saudi Arabia launched a military campaign against the group in 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which had been forced into exile.
Group has history of long-range strikes
The Houthis have previously demonstrated the ability to strike targets far beyond Yemen’s borders and disrupt key maritime routes around the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea.
In October 2023, the group launched attacks targeting Israel and shipping routes in the region in support of Hamas during the Gaza war.
The latest missile strike raises concerns that the ongoing conflict could expand further across the Middle East, drawing in additional armed groups and regional powers.
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