Houthi rebels take advantage of Iran ceasefire to improve missiles targeting Israel
Rebel leader threatens Israel over Somaliland presence, resumption of hostilities in Gaza
The Houthi rebels in Yemen are taking advantage of the Iran ceasefire to improve their ballistic missile capabilities, according to reports in The Jerusalem Post and i24 News.
The Houthis have conducted tests during the ceasefire to improve both the range and accuracy of their missiles, the outlets reported, citing Western intelligence sources.
During the most recent Iran conflict, the Houthi rebels engaged in limited participation, in contrast to Hezbollah, which joined the conflict early on, in support of its Iranian patron.
In contrast, the Houthis, who, like Hezbollah, suffered from targeted strikes aimed at upper leadership and military infrastructure, did not enter the conflict until late March, and only launched around 6 ballistic missiles and 5 drones at Israeli territory.
The group had previously halted attacks on Israel, following the signing of the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire.
However, in recent days, Houthi leadership has again engaged in belligerent statements directed at Israeli interests, in particular following reports of a contingent of Israeli soldiers sent to neighboring Somaliland as part of increasing cooperation between the two nations.
Following the visit of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi to Jerusalem to inaugurate his country’s embassy in Jerusalem, reports claimed that Israel had sent a group of 50 soldiers to Somaliland as part of security agreements between the two states.
While the IDF did not officially acknowledge such a deployment, Defense Minister Israel Katz recently stated that Israel and Somaliland have maintained covert cooperation for several years.
CNN reported that Israel was given access to a Somaliland military facility, which could be used in support of Israel Air Force operations against the Houthis.
In a recent speech, group leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi threatened attacks against any Israeli presence in Somaliland.
“At any time, we will initiate attacks against any presence of the Israeli enemy in Somaliland,” al-Houthi stated.
Houthi leader: The group is monitoring Israeli efforts to turn Somaliland into a base for controlling the Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandeb, and the Red Sea. Any attempt by Israel to establish a presence there will be targeted "with all possible means." He said they would not wait for… pic.twitter.com/oQBwE8RE9e
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 25, 2026
He also said his group would engage in “close monitoring and observation of developments in Somaliland, and what is being sought to turn it into a foothold aimed at controlling the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Red Sea.”
The Houthi leader also stated his group’s readiness to intervene if Israel resumes military operations in Gaza, amid reports of Hamas strengthening and rehabilitating its capabilities in the Gaza Strip.
“We are in continuous coordination with our brothers across the resistance fronts, and we will not hesitate to fulfill our duty in response to any new escalation of aggression against any front, especially Gaza,” al-Houthi said in his televised address.
Al-Houthi’s remarks came amid signs of unrest in Yemen, with the group’s so-called General Mobilization Forces announcing their readiness to confront Saudi Arabian-backed tribal groups along the de facto border between the Houthi-controlled area of western Yemen.
Over the past week, anti-Houthi forces have repositioned units, in apparent preparation for a possible resumption of fighting between the Saudi-backed forces and the Houthis.
On Yemen's west coast, Yemen's anti-Houthi National Resistance Forces @NRFYemen have maintained a steady operational tempo against Houthi forces over the past two weeks, suggesting sustained pressure rather than isolated engagements.
— Basha باشا (@BashaReport) June 27, 2026
Earlier this week, units from the 13th… https://t.co/o6vyTeDoqP pic.twitter.com/bkq1YoKM5i
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel’s “account with the Houthis” remains open.
“The account with the Houthis is open, and they will pay the price. If their leader comes within our sights, we will eliminate him,” Katz said in response to the remarks by al-Houthi.
Speaking at the Muni Expo in Tel Aviv, Katz also threatened al-Houthi personally, saying the leader is currently “hiding in tunnels.”
“If he comes within our sights, he will die,” Katz stated.
J. Micah Hancock is a current Master’s student at the Hebrew University, pursuing a degree in Jewish History. Previously, he studied Biblical studies and journalism in his B.A. in the United States. He joined All Israel News as a reporter in 2022, and currently lives near Jerusalem with his wife and children.
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