Sana'a – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that they successfully intercepted two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Yemen, marking the latest in a series of escalating attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The drones were reportedly aimed at central Israel and were neutralized by the country’s advanced air defense systems before reaching their targets. No casualties or damage were reported, though air raid sirens were activated across several regions, prompting civilians to seek shelter.

This incident follows the launch of three ballistic missiles by the Houthis within a 24-hour period, including one equipped with cluster munitions—a rare and controversial payload that triggered sirens across central Israel for the first time since the conflict intensified.

Israeli officials have condemned the attacks as a direct provocation and a continuation of the Houthis’ campaign in support of Hamas and other Palestinian factions. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that “any threat from Yemen will be met with a crushing response,” signaling the possibility of further retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled territory.

The Houthis, for their part, claimed responsibility for the missile and drone launches, describing them as part of a broader military operation targeting “sensitive sites” in Israel. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated that the group’s actions were in retaliation for recent Israeli airstrikes on Sana’a, which killed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi and several senior officials.