The Houthis in Yemen launched a ballistic missile on Shabbos morning toward southern Israel, the first such attack since the start of Operation Roaring Lion.

Sirens blared in Be’er Sheva and nearby areas. Baruch Hashem, the missile was successfully intercepted.

Several hours later, the Houthis launched a cruise missile toward Israel, but it was shot down before reaching Israeli airspace, the IDF said.

The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, confirmed responsibility for the attacks and declared that the Houthis are formally joining the war alongside Iran and its allies.

“We fired ballistic missiles at sensitive military targets of the Israeli enemy in the south,” he said, adding that the attack was carried out “in response to the continued military escalation, the targeting of infrastructure, and the crimes and massacres against our brothers in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and Palestine. Our operations will continue until the declared objectives are achieved and the aggression against all fronts of the resistance comes to an end.”

According to Kan News, Saree had already signaled this shift in a statement on Friday. He warned against Israeli or U.S. military activity in the Red Sea, criticized the ongoing escalation against Iran and its allies, and cautioned against steps that deepen the blockade on Yemen.

Last week, sources among anti-Houthi forces told Kan News that the rebels had reinforced their presence around the port city of Al Hudaydah.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)