Young Houthi supporters hold weapons during a rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on March 27, 2026. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement, warned on March 26 of a "military response" should the Middle East war require it. The Houthis, a key part of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance", have so far refrained from joining the war sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which has engulfed much of the region. (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP) MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP
Israel's military, early on Saturday, March 28, reported a first missile launch from Yemen since the Middle East war began on February 28, after Iran's Houthi allies threatened to join the fighting.
A military statement said Israeli forces had "identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat."
It was the first such statement mentioning a launch from Yemen during the war with Iran, which has entered its second month. There were no reports of any casualties or damage in Israel, and media reports suggested the missile may have been intercepted.
Yemen's Houthi movement warned on Friday it would join the war if US-Israeli attacks continue to hit its ally Iran or if more countries join the conflict. The Houthi have in the past attacked shipping in the Red Sea in response to regional conflicts, but had so far not intervened in the latest war.
