Yemen’s Houthis launch second wave of missiles, drones at Israel

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a second missile and drone attack against Israel within the span of hours, declaring that the strikes were coordinated with Iranian and Hezbollah military operations.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, spokesman for the Houthi-controlled Yemeni Armed Forces, said in a Telegram statement that the group launched “a barrage of cruise missiles and drones” targeting “several vital military sites” in southern Israel.

He asserted that the attack “successfully achieved its objectives” and was timed to coincide with operations by Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The announcement followed reports in Israeli and American media of a second round of Houthi strikes late Saturday, coming just hours after the group confirmed its first missile launch toward Israel since the outbreak of the current conflict.

Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said it had intercepted a missile originating from Yemen, with no reported casualties or significant damage.

Saree’s reference to coordination with Iran and Hezbollah signals a potential shift toward more synchronized action among Tehran-aligned groups across the region. Iran and Hezbollah have also launched attacks against Israeli targets in recent days, marking a sharp escalation in what had previously been a shadow war conducted largely through proxies.

The Israeli military has not yet issued a detailed statement on the second reported attack, but it maintains multi-layered air defenses, including the Arrow and Iron Dome systems, designed to intercept long-range missiles and drones.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Israel and international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, vowing to continue strikes until Israel ends its military campaign in the Palestinian enclave.

The latest barrage comes as regional tensions approach a critical juncture, with fears that coordinated strikes by Iran, Hezbollah, and the Houthis could widen the conflict beyond Israel’s borders.