Israel intercepts first missile from Yemen in Iran conflict

The Israeli army detected and intercepted the first missile launched from Yemen, signaling that Houthi, an ally of Iran, may have entered the conflict.

Air raid sirens sounded in Beersheba and nearby towns in southern Israel early on 28/3. The Israeli military later announced, "A ballistic missile launch from Yemen towards Israeli territory was identified, and air defense systems are active to intercept the threat."

This marks the first time Israel has recorded a missile launch from Yemen since the Iran conflict began on 28/2. Israeli media reported the missile was intercepted, causing no casualties or damage.

A missile flying across the sky of Netanya, Israel on 28/3. Photo: AFP

Houthi, a powerful Iran-backed militia group, controls large areas of Yemen. The group had threatened to attack Israel since the Iran conflict erupted but had not publicly carried out any strikes.

Houthi has not commented on the information released by Israel. This incident suggests the armed group has begun to engage in the conflict as fighting between the US-Israel alliance and Iran enters its second month.

On 27/3, Houthi stated, "The finger is on the trigger, ready for direct military intervention" if more countries join the US-Israel operation against Iran.

Houthi previously launched dozens of missiles targeting Israel and maritime routes in the Red Sea from 11/2023. These attacks aimed to show support for the Hamas group in Gaza, a component of the Iran-backed "Axis of Resistance." The strikes ceased after Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement in 10/2025.

However, observers worry that Houthi's current involvement in the Iran conflict could escalate the situation. Over the past month, Iran has nearly blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, causing many shipping companies to reroute to the Red Sea to transport some oil from Saudi Arabia.

If Houthi engages in the conflict, the group could choke the flow of goods through the Red Sea and another critical chokepoint, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This would create a new energy bottleneck for the world.