SANAA / TEL AVIV — Yemen’s Houthi rebels officially escalated their involvement in the month-old regional war on Sunday, March 29, 2026, announcing a “second military operation” targeting Israel. Following their first-ever ballistic missile launch at the Negev on Saturday, military spokesperson Yahya Saree declared that the group has now transitioned to a “sustained campaign” of cruise missiles and drones aimed at “vital military sites” in southern Israel.
The Houthis have vowed to continue these strikes until the U.S.-Israeli “aggression” against Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Palestinian territories ceases—a move that effectively opens a southern front as the war enters its second month.
The “Second Operation” Breakdown
In a statement posted to Telegram and broadcast on Al-Masirah TV, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree framed the escalation as a coordinated effort within the “Axis of Resistance.”
- Synchronized Strikes: Saree claimed the latest barrage was timed to coincide with military actions by “mujahideen brothers in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.”
- Target Profile: The Houthis identified their targets as “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern occupied Palestine. While the IDF confirmed the interception of the first ballistic missile on Saturday, they have yet to provide detailed comments on the success of the second, multi-vector wave.
- The Goal: The group explicitly stated their objective is to force a total halt to the coalition’s “Infrastructure Blitz” in Iran.
Red Sea Shipping: The “Double Choke” Risk
With the Strait of Hormuz already choked off, the Houthi entry raises the catastrophic prospect of a second blockade at the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- Shipping Suspensions: Danish shipping giant Maersk has already temporarily suspended operations at the Omani port of Salalah following a drone attack that injured a worker and damaged a crane.
- Economic Pain: Analysts warn that a sustained Houthi campaign in the Red Sea would force global trade into even costlier detours around the Cape of Good Hope, further spiking oil and gas prices already reeling from the Iranian conflict.
- Saudi Pivot: Saudi Arabia has been rerouting significant oil exports through the Red Sea port of Yanbu to bypass the Persian Gulf. If the Houthis target these Red Sea routes, Riyadh’s primary energy “escape hatch” could be slammed shut.
IDF Response: “A Multifront War”
The Israeli military has shifted its posture to acknowledge the reality of a multi-front conflict involving Yemen, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon.
- Strategic Readiness: IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated, “We have been prepared for the Houthis to join this from the beginning. We are preparing for a multifront war.”
- Retaliation Warnings: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated that any group assisting the Iranian regime will pay an “escalating price.” This follows reports that the IDF is already identifying Houthi launch sites in Sanaa and Hudaydah for potential retaliatory strikes.
Key Developments: Day 31
| Event | Location | Status |
| Houthi 2nd Wave | Southern Israel | Cruise missiles/drones launched; IDF on high alert. |
| Alba Strike | Bahrain | Iranian attack on aluminium plant; 2 employees injured. |
| Dubai Depot | UAE | IRGC claims strike on “Ukrainian drone hub”; UAE/Kyiv deny. |
| Gaza Strike | Shijaiyah | Israeli strike kills 2 Palestinian brothers near the “Yellow Line.” |
What’s Next?
The Houthi intervention creates a new “Red Sea crisis” just as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt arrive in Islamabad for emergency peace talks. The inclusion of Yemen in the conflict significantly increases the pressure on the April 6 deadline, as the coalition must now decide whether to divert air-defense assets to protect Red Sea shipping or maintain its offensive focus on the Iranian mainland.
