Yemen’s Houthis Launch Missile Attack on Israel as U.S. Signals Targeted War Timeline

emen's Houthis officially enter the Iran war with missile strikes on Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio targets a conclusion in weeks, while Trump questions NATO support.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 6:19 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

Houthis Open New Southern Front

After remaining largely on the sidelines for the first four weeks of the conflict, the Iran-aligned Houthis confirmed they are now actively targeting Israel. The group stated their operations will persist until "aggression" across all fronts—including Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran—ceases. While Israel reported the interception of a missile from Yemen, the Houthis' proven ability to disrupt the Bab al-Mandeb Strait poses a critical threat to the Suez Canal's maritime traffic, especially with the Strait of Hormuz already effectively closed by Iranian forces.

Rubio’s Timeline and the Absence of Ground Troops

Secretary Rubio, speaking from France, maintained that U.S. operations remain "on or ahead of schedule." He emphasized that objectives could be met through precision strikes and naval power without the need for large-scale ground combat. However, he acknowledged the deployment of thousands of Marines and elite airborne soldiers to the region to provide President Trump with "maximum optionality." This influx of personnel has fueled domestic and international concerns regarding the potential for the conflict to evolve into a protracted ground war.

Trump’s NATO Critique and Strained Alliances

The war has created a visible rift between Washington and its traditional European allies. President Donald Trump, speaking at an investment forum in Miami, questioned the future of U.S. commitments to NATO, citing a lack of support for the current Middle East operations. "Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us?" Trump asked, suggesting that the "attack on one is an attack on all" principle might be re-evaluated based on member contributions to current U.S. strategic goals.