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Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on Saturday claimed their first attack on Israel since the start of the Middle East war a month ago.
In a video statement posted on X, spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had launched ballistic missiles at Israeli military sites.
The Houthis control most of northern Yemen and targeted Israel with drones and missiles throughout much of the Gaza war.
Israeli media outlet Channel 12 also reported that a missile was launched from Yemen toward southern Israel for the first time since the start of the war with Iran.
A few hours earlier, the Israeli military said in a statement it had “identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory; aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat."
The Houthis, who control most of northern Yemen, targeted Israel with drones and missiles throughout much of the Gaza war.
There were no reports of casualties or damage in Israel, and media reports suggested the missile may have been intercepted.
The Houthis also attacked shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the Gaza war, saying they were acting in solidarity with Palestinians, but have so far refrained from doing so in the latest war.
“We affirm that our fingers are on the trigger for direct military intervention,” the group said in a statement on Friday, warning it would act if other nations joined the U.S.-Israeli fight or if the Red Sea were used for “hostile operations."
The Red Sea has become increasingly important during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, as Saudi Arabia has diverted a large proportion of its oil exports to the port of Yanbu, with Iran having all but closed the Strait of Hormuz and cut off the Gulf.
The U.S. and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing over 1,340 people.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.
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