Houthis Declare War on Israel with Missile Attacks

Sat Mar 28 2026 21:53:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have initiated missile strikes on Israel, escalating tensions in the region as they threaten to continue until perceived aggressions cease. This marks their first direct involvement in the ongoing conflict linked to US-Israeli operations against Iran.

In a significant escalation, the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have launched missile attacks on Israel, targeting key military sites. This act of aggression signals their direct entry into the conflict associated with ongoing US and Israeli operations against Iran. The Houthis have vowed to persist with their assaults until attacks on their allies stop, raising concerns about further disruptions in the region and its implications for global trade and security.

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen say they have launched a barrage of missiles against Israel - the first since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

The group said in a statement that it had targeted sensitive Israeli military sites and vowed to continue such attacks. Israel said it intercepted one missile coming from Yemen.

The entry of the powerful Iranian proxy into the conflict raises fears of further disruption to the world economy as the armed group has capacity to attack shipping in the Red Sea.

Houthis consider themselves to be part of a so-called axis of resistance that also includes other groups financed by Iran, such as the Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began 12 years ago, when the Houthis seized control of the country's north-west from the internationally recognised government, leading to intervention by a Saudi-led coalition supported by the US.

Crucially, they control Yemen's Red Sea coastline, and their involvement in the conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February had been largely expected.

Prior to launching Saturday's attack, their military spokesman issued a statement saying their hands were on the trigger for direct military intervention if any countries joined the US-Israeli strikes or if the Red Sea was used for military operations against Iran.

A few hours later, they confirmed they had launched a salvo of ballistic missiles and attacks would continue until the aggression against all resistance fronts ceases - an apparent reference to Israel's escalation of operations against Hezbollah.

The US and Israeli attacks against Iran have continued unabated, prompting heightened tensions globally. About 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making the situation critical for global energy stability.

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has forced Saudi Arabia to divert oil through a pipeline to its Red Sea coast, making Bab al-Mandab the main channel for these shipments. Such dynamics could lead to a severe contraction in the economies of many countries as a prolonged disruption is feared to escalate energy prices worldwide.