On Saturday morning, a missile was launched from Yemen toward Israel, marking the Houthis’ first attack since “Operation Roaring Lion” began a month ago, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel’s air defense systems were activated to intercept the missile, and sirens sounded in Beersheba and nearby communities in the Negev. There are no immediate reports of casualties or direct damage.

The missile launch follows a statement by the Yemeni Armed Forces on Friday, declaring they are prepared for direct military action if “American-Israeli aggression” against Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” continues to escalate, according to Iran’s Press TV. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Yemeni military, said, “We confirm that our hands are on the trigger for direct military intervention.”

The warning comes nearly a month after the United States and Israel carried out what Press TV called “unprovoked aggression” against Iran, along with intensified operations targeting groups allied with the “Axis of Resistance.” Saree added that intervention could also be prompted by the involvement of other parties or the use of the Red Sea for hostile operations against Iran or other Muslim countries, saying, “We will not allow that.”

According to Press TV, Yemen frames its stance as a “religious and moral responsibility” in response to what it describes as a wider campaign targeting not only Iran but also the “Resistance Axis” and the broader Muslim world. The report further alleged that the aggression is tied to Israel’s so-called “Greater Israel” ambitions, accusing Tel Aviv of pursuing territorial expansion in West Asia. Yemen sees its actions as part of the “legitimate right” of regional populations to resist these plans and their supporters.

Saree stated that Yemeni forces are motivated by regional cooperation, aiming to deliver a “major defeat” to aggressors while supporting Muslim nations facing conflict. He also called on the United States and Israel to engage in diplomatic efforts to end hostilities, condemning the attacks as “unjust, oppressive, and unjustified,” harming global and regional security and the economy. The statement urged the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement signed last October under a US-backed plan and warned against increasing pressure on Yemen, including tightening the blockade on the country.