The strike occurred after the Yemeni faction warned it would enter the wider conflict if its ally Tehran continued to face attacks or if additional nations became involved.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed on Saturday that this marks their first attack since the Middle East conflict began a month ago. Earlier, the Israeli military had stated that it was intercepting an attack.
This attack occurred after the Yemeni group had threatened to join the regional conflict if attacks against its ally, Tehran, continued or if more countries became involved in the fighting.
In a video statement posted on X, spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the group—which controls most of northern Yemen and has frequently targeted Israel with drones and missiles during the Gaza war—had launched ballistic missiles at Israeli military sites.
A few hours earlier, the Israeli military said in a statement that it had “identified a missile launch from Yemen toward Israeli territory; aerial defense systems are working to intercept the threat.”
There are no reports of casualties or damage in Israel, and media reports suggest that the missile was likely intercepted.
During the Gaza war, the Houthis also attacked vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They claimed they were demonstrating solidarity with the Palestinians, though they have refrained from doing so thus far in the current conflict.
In a statement on Friday, the group declared, “We affirm that our fingers are on the trigger for direct military intervention,” and warned that it would take action if other nations joined a US-Israeli conflict or if the Red Sea were utilized for “hostile operations.”
The Red Sea has become a critical strategic point amidst the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as Saudi Arabia has diverted a significant portion of its oil exports toward the port of Yanbu, while Iran has effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz and cut off access to the Gulf.