Houthi Forces Launch First Ballistic Missile Strike on Southern Israel Since Start of Iran War

Yemen’s Houthis launch first missile operation against Israel since the Iran war began, citing retaliation for regional strikes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 6:50 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Yenişafak English

A Significant Escalation in the Southern Theater

The Houthi movement has officially entered the active phase of the current regional conflict by launching its first direct military strike against Israel since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran. According to a video statement released by spokesperson Yahya Saree, the Yemeni Armed Forces utilized a series of ballistic missiles to target what were described as sensitive military objectives in the southern region of occupied Palestine. This development marks a transition from previous naval disruptions to direct kinetic engagement with Israeli territory, signaling a calculated expansion of the group's operational reach during this period of heightened tension.

The Justification of Regional Solidarity

The decision to escalate was framed by Houthi leadership as an act of solidarity with regional partners currently facing military pressure from US and Israeli forces. Saree noted that the operation serves as a direct retort to the ongoing targeting of infrastructure and civilians within Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and Palestine. This rhetorical framing suggests that the Houthis view themselves as an integral component of a coordinated resistance, asserting that their military actions will persist until their specific strategic objectives are met. According to the group's leadership, the strike follows a standing warning regarding direct intervention should the conflict against Tehran broaden further.

Confirmation of Missile Activity from Israeli Sources

The reality of the attack was corroborated by local reports in the region, which identified incoming fire from the direction of Yemen. The Israeli public broadcaster KAN noted that the military tracked launches toward the southern portion of the country, marking a definitive shift in the geography of the war. While the Houthis had previously engaged in drone and missile strikes during earlier phases of the Gaza conflict, this specific engagement is the first recorded since the commencement of the broader offensive against Iran. According to regional observers, the arrival of these missiles necessitates a recalibration of air defense priorities in the south.