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Houthis Join U.S.–Israel War on Iran: Missile Strikes on Israel Mark Major Escalation

Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels have launched their first confirmed missile attack against Israel, signaling their formal entry into the expanding Middle East war sparked by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The development broadens the conflict, raises fears of disruption to global trade routes and comes as U.S. officials say the campaign could continue for weeks.

2 min read

By Aurax Desk — Updated March 28, 2026

A trace of a ballistic missile launched from Yemen toward southern Israel, intercepted by Israeli defenses, marking the Houthis’ first confirmed strike in the Iran war.

Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels have officially entered the widening Middle East conflict, launching a ballistic missile attack toward southern Israel — the first such strike since the war began. The Israeli military reported intercepting the missile early Saturday, and the Houthis vowed to continue operations until what they describe as “aggression” on all fronts ends.

The conflict initially erupted on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran, killing senior leaders and targeting military infrastructure. Since then, Tehran has retaliated with waves of missiles and drones against Israeli and Gulf targets, and fighting has spread across the broader Middle East.

Houthis’ Entry Marks Regional Escalation

The Houthi attack from Yemen — a key Red Sea littoral state — marks a significant escalation in the war, potentially opening a new front and raising the risk of further regional involvement. The group has historically threatened shipping lanes, including in the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandab Strait, which are vital to global trade.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, said the ballistic missiles were fired at “sensitive Israeli military sites,” portraying Yemen’s involvement as solidarity with Iran and its allies. Israeli defenses successfully intercepted the salvo, but the incident still signals a broadening theatre of hostilities.

U.S. Marines deploy additional forces to the Gulf region amid efforts to sustain military pressure as war production continues.

Bab al-Mandab Strait: Commercial vessels navigate strategic chokepoints that could face heightened risk if Houthi operations expand along key maritime routes.

U.S. Signals Continued Engagement

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States expects its military campaign against Iran to conclude in “weeks, not months,” and that key objectives could be met without deploying ground troops — even as additional forces are being sent to the region as a contingency.

Rubio’s comments came as airstrikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear‑linked facilities, continue and Tehran responds with its own missile and drone barrages across multiple fronts.

Wider Impact and Risks

Analysts warn that the Houthis’ involvement could complicate the conflict further, especially if disruptions to trade routes such as the Red Sea corridor intensify. These chokepoints are pivotal for global energy and goods shipments, and attacks there could amplify economic fallout already stoked by war‑related energy price volatility.

The war has already disrupted shipping and energy markets, fueled inflation fears and sparked diplomatic efforts by countries including Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt. Despite these efforts, diplomatic progress remains limited as the violence continues to unfold