The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen say they have launched a barrage of missiles against Israel – the first since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
The group said in a statement that it had targeted “sensitive Israeli military sites” and vowed to continue such attacks. Israel said it had shot down two missiles coming from Yemen.
The entry of the powerful Iranian proxy into the conflict raises fears of further disruption to the world economy as the armed group has capacity to attack shipping in the Red Sea.
Houthis consider themselves to be part of a so-called “axis of resistance” that also includes other groups financed by Iran, such as the Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began 12 years ago, when the Houthis seized control of the country’s north-west from the internationally recognised government and a Saudi-led coalition supported by the US intervened in an effort to restore its rule.
Crucially, they control the Yemen’s Red Sea coastline.
The involvement of the group in the conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February had been largely expected.
Prior to launching Saturday’s attack, their military spokesman issued a statement saying their hands were “on the trigger for direct military intervention” if any countries joined the US-Israeli strikes or the Red Sea was used for military operations against Iran.
A few hours later, they confirmed they had launched “a salvo of ballistic missiles” and attacks would continue “until the aggression against all resistance fronts ceases” – an apparent reference to Israel’s escalation of operations against the Hezbollah.
Later on Saturday, the Houthis said a second wave of missiles and drones had been launched against Israel.
US and Israeli attacks against Iran have continued unabated, even as US President Donald Trump says he has postponed a threatened attack on Iran’s power plants if it does not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz to shipping by 6 April.
About 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through the waterway.
Its closure has caused the price of oil to skyrocket and has raised concerns that a prolonged blockage could raise energy prices – and even lead to a severe contraction in the economies of many countries.
Trump says Iran is desperate to reach a deal to end the war and is involved in talks with the US to do so – which Tehran denies.
