Houthis Launch First Ballistic Missile Attack on Israel Since Start of War
The strike targeted what the group described as "sensitive military sites" in southern Israel, specifically triggering air raid sirens across Beersheba and the Negev desert—areas close to Israel's primary nuclear research facility.
Strategic Escalation:
Houthi Claim: Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, announced on Al-Masirah television that the "barrage of ballistic missiles" was a direct response to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli joint military operations against Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
The Interception: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the launch, stating that their aerial defense systems—likely the Arrow-3—successfully intercepted the incoming threat from the south. No immediate casualties or direct impacts on Israeli soil were reported.
Context of the Conflict: This attack marks the 29th day of "Operation Roaring Lion," which began on February 28. Until now, the Houthis had largely remained on the sidelines, but their direct intervention signals a dangerous expansion of the war into its second month.
Broader Impact: The involvement of Yemen raises immediate fears for global trade, as the Houthis previously crippled Red Sea shipping during the 2023-24 Gaza conflict. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is now considered a high-risk zone for Western commercial vessels.
As of Saturday afternoon, the IDF has warned that any further involvement from the "Axis of Resistance" will result in an "escalated and expanded" campaign against the Iranian regime's strategic assets.
