Rabat – Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have confirmed launching their first attack on Israel since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. This represents a major escalation that could widen the conflict across the region.
The group said it fired ballistic missiles at Israeli military sites in the south of the occupied West Bank. Israel’s military reported detecting one missile from Yemen and said it was intercepted before reaching its target. While the physical damage appears limited, the political and military implications are significant.
This attack signals that the Houthis are now directly entering the conflict and effectively opening a new front in this expanding regional war. Until now, the war had largely centered on Iran, Israel, and indirect confrontations across neighboring Gulf countries. With Yemen involved, the battlefield risks expanding further across the Middle East.
The Houthis have previously demonstrated their ability to strike long-range targets, including infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as shipping routes near the Red Sea. Their entry into the conflict raises concerns about the security of key global trade routes, especially the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical passage for oil and goods heading toward the Suez Canal.
Any disruption in this area could have serious global consequences, including rising energy prices and delays in international shipping. Oil markets have already been shaken since the war began, with prices climbing due to fears over attacks near vital maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.
The move also adds pressure on Israel’s defense systems, which are already dealing with threats from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. A multi-front conflict could stretch military resources and increase the risk of further escalation.
At the same time, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed multiple people, including journalists and paramedics, according to local reports. Meanwhile, Iran says that ongoing US-Israeli air strikes have damaged tens of thousands of civilian sites, including homes, schools, and health facilities.
Tensions are also high in the Gulf. Drone and missile attacks have targeted countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, with some interceptions reported but also damage to infrastructure. A drone strike in Oman forced the temporary shutdown of operations at the port of Salalah, a key shipping hub.
There are also conflicting claims about attacks in Dubai, with Iran saying it targeted US forces and a Ukrainian defense site, while Ukraine has denied those claims and called them disinformation.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing, with regional powers including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt planning talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict. However, with new actors like the Houthis entering the war, the chances of a quick resolution appear increasingly uncertain and very unlikely.
