Yemen’s Iran-backed group joins widening regional conflict as Israel trades strikes with Iran.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have fired a ballistic missile towards Israel, the latest escalation in a conflict that now stretches from the Red Sea to Iran.
In a statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group launched the missile targeting “sensitive military sites” in southern Israel, describing the operation as support for the Palestinian cause and coordination with other resistance fronts amid the ongoing Israel-Iran confrontation.
Israeli authorities reported that air defences successfully intercepted the projectile, with sirens sounding across parts of southern and central Israel. No major casualties or damage were immediately reported from this specific launch, though such attacks have previously caused injuries and disruptions.
Houthis Escalate Pressure on Israel:
The Houthi attack comes as Israel and Iran exchange direct strikes, raising fears that the conflict could draw in more actors across the Middle East. The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, have repeatedly targeted Israel with missiles and drones since late 2023, often in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
This latest strike highlights the Houthis’ continued ability to threaten Israeli territory despite repeated Israeli and US-led military operations against their positions in Yemen.
Analysts say the move risks provoking a stronger Israeli response, which could further destabilise Yemen-already one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises-and threaten vital shipping routes in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
UN Urges Calm as Conflict Risks Escalation:
The United Nations and several governments have called for restraint to prevent a full-scale regional war. The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks “until aggression against Gaza and other fronts stops,” while Israel has repeatedly warned it will strike Houthi targets with overwhelming force if attacks persist.
The incident adds another layer of complexity to diplomatic efforts led by the incoming US administration under President-elect Donald Trump, who has been pushing for de-escalation between Israel and Iran.