In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on Israel on March 28, 2026, targeting sensitive military sites. This marks the first missile strike by the Houthis since the onset of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Brigadier-General Yahya Saree announced the attack via Al Masirah satellite television, confirming that the Israeli military intercepted one missile during the assault. The attack comes amid heightened hostilities in the region, with nine Israeli soldiers reported wounded in simultaneous rocket attacks from southern Lebanon.
The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen’s capital Sanaa since 2014, have previously threatened to intervene militarily if other countries joined the US and Israel against Iran. They have also warned that they would not allow the Red Sea to be used for hostile operations against Iran, raising concerns about potential disruptions to international shipping routes.
From November 2023 to January 2025, the Houthis attacked over 100 merchant vessels, resulting in the deaths of four sailors. The Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint, sees about 30 percent of Israel’s imports pass through, making it a strategic target.
Mohammed Mansour, a Houthi official, stated, “We are conducting this battle in stages, and closing the Bab al-Mandeb strait is among our options.” This threat underscores the potential for broader regional confrontation, as the Houthis have previously halted attacks on international shipping following a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025.
As tensions rise, experts warn that if the Houthis move to shut down the Bab al-Mandeb strait, it could lead to significant disruptions not only in the Red Sea but also in the Suez Canal, as highlighted by analyst Mohamad Elmasry.
In response to the missile attack, Nida Ibrahim remarked, “We are expecting Israel to retaliate to this attack as we have seen them do time and again.” The situation remains fluid, with officials on both sides monitoring developments closely.
Details remain unconfirmed, but the implications of this attack could reverberate throughout the region, potentially drawing in other nations and escalating the conflict further.