IDF downs Houthi missile fired from Yemen that triggered sirens in south

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen launched a ballistic missile at Israel early Saturday morning, which the military said was successfully intercepted by air defenses.

The missile was shot down before crossing the country’s borders, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

There were no reports of injuries or damage in the attack, which the Houthi rebels claimed targeted the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel.

Sirens had sounded in Beersheba and the surrounding area in southern Israel. An early alert warning was issued to a much wider area, in the latest apparent malfunction of a new system to alert civilians of long-range missile attacks via a push notification on their phones.

Hours later, the IDF said the Air Force had shot down a drone launched at Israel “from the east.” No sirens sounded “according to protocol,” the IDF added. The Houthis also took responsibility for that attack, claiming they launched two drones at targets in Israel.

The attacks came a few days after a missile launched by Houthis set off sirens in northern Israel for the first time.

Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched more than 20 ballistic missiles and several drones at Israel. Only half of the missiles triggered sirens in the country and were shot down, while the others fell short.

The interception of a Houthi ballistic missile fired from Yemen at Israel, March 24, 2025. (Courtesy of Bareket Askeloni)

The Houthis — whose slogan is “Death to America, Death to Israel, a Curse on the Jews” — first began attacking Israel and maritime traffic in November 2023, a month after the October 7 Hamas attack.

In recent weeks, the United States has been carrying out massive airstrikes in Yemen against the Houthis, targeting their leadership and infrastructure.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.