The Iran-aligned Houthi movement said it fired multiple missiles toward Israel and proclaimed a "complete blockade" of Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, warning that Israeli movements would be treated as military targets. Israel's military reported a missile from Yemen and urged civilians to follow safety guidance. The development follows recent Iranian strikes on Israel and heightens the risk to passage through the Bab al-Mandab strait, a strategic Europe–Asia shipping chokepoint.
Houthis Say They Fired Missiles At Israel, Announce Red Sea Blockade — Risks To Shipping Rise
Armed members of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration against US and Israel. (is associated with: «Houthi militia claims first attack on Israel in weeks») Osamah Yahya/dpa
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Monday it launched several missiles toward Israel and declared a "complete blockade" of Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, warning that any Israeli movements there would be treated as "military targets."
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari described the action as the group's first direct strike on Israel in several weeks. The Israeli military said in the early hours that a missile had been fired from Yemen toward Israel and urged civilians to follow safety instructions.
Why This Matters
The Houthis control the Bab al-Mandab strait, the entrance to the Red Sea and the route north to the Suez Canal — a vital shipping lane linking Europe and Asia. If the Houthis target vessels they deem linked to Israel (for example, ships bound for Israeli ports), commercial traffic and energy shipments could face renewed disruption.
Context And Background
The announcement follows Iranian strikes on Israel the previous evening and subsequent Israeli strikes on targets in Iran. The Houthis are a prominent Iran-aligned non-state actor and part of the so-called "Axis of Resistance," which includes allied groups in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. Since 2023 the Houthis have carried out hundreds of attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which they say are responses to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
Yahya Sari: "We declare a complete blockade of Israeli shipping in the Red Sea; any Israeli movement will be treated as a military target."
Authorities, shipping companies and insurers are likely to reassess routes and precautions. Verification of claims and the immediate operational impact remain fluid as independent reporting and official confirmations continue to emerge.
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