Sanaa: Israel reportedly launched a missile strike in Yemen on June 15, 2025, targeting a senior Houthi leader in what is seen as an escalation in the widening conflict involving Iran-backed groups in the Middle East. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have yet to officially confirm the operation, but reports from The Times of Israel citing defense sources describe the attack as a targeted assassination attempt.
The strike comes amid growing support by Yemen’s Houthi rebels for Iran, which has itself been under attack from Israel in recent weeks. The Houthis issued statements via Telegram affirming Iran’s “legitimate right” to defend itself and develop its nuclear program, while condemning Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. This move signals a further alignment of the Houthis with Tehran against Israel in the ongoing regional conflict
Earlier in June, Israel conducted airstrikes on Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid but also accused by Israel of being used by the Houthis to transport weapons. The Israeli military has warned that it could impose an aerial and naval blockade on Yemen unless Houthi attacks on Israel cease. The Houthis, who have fired missiles and drones toward Israel since the Gaza war began in late 2023, have declared solidarity with Palestinians and Iran, escalating tensions across the region.
Neither side has reported casualties from the recent missile strike on the Houthi leader, but the attack highlights the broader conflict’s expansion beyond Israel and Iran, involving proxy groups in neighboring countries. The Houthis previously fired a missile that struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in May, briefly disrupting flights and demonstrating their growing reach.
This ongoing conflict underscores the fragile and volatile state of Middle Eastern geopolitics, where local and proxy forces backed by regional powers like Iran increasingly engage in direct confrontations with Israel. The escalation poses significant risks for broader regional stability and further complicates efforts to resolve the longstanding conflicts in the area.
