Exclusive Report: Houthi Missile Arsenal Becomes Regional Threat to Israel and Allied Forces in Middle East.

The Houthi movement in Yemen has significantly expanded its missile capabilities, transitioning from a localized insurgent group into a regional actor capable of threatening Israel, the United States, and allied forces across the Middle East. Backed by Iranian technology and strategic direction, the Houthis have incorporated an increasingly sophisticated range of ballistic and cruise missile systems, enabling them to launch precise strikes across distances exceeding 1,500 km. As a southern pillar of the Iran-led "Axis of Resistance," the Houthis now serve not only as a tactical actor in the Yemen conflict but as a forward-deployed strategic threat to regional security architecture.
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A ballistic missile is displayed during a military parade organized by the Houthi movement in Sanaa, Yemen, on September 21, 2022. During the event, the group unveiled long-range missile systems as part of its growing strategic arsenal. (Photo: Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

The Houthi missile inventory includes ground-launched systems with operational ranges that now place key Israeli and U.S. military assets within direct reach. Among the most frequently deployed is the Burkan-2H short-range ballistic missile, with an estimated range of 800 to 1,000 km. This modified Scud platform, based on Iranian and North Korean designs, has been used in attacks against Riyadh and was reportedly involved in strikes on Israel’s Eilat region. The Quds-2, a land-attack cruise missile with an estimated range of 1,400 km, is designed for long-range precision strikes and evasion of radar detection through low-altitude flight. It has been linked to recent cruise missile activity aimed at southern Israel, including a March 2025 launch intercepted near Dimona.

Another key asset is the Zulfiqar ballistic missile, believed to be a derivative of the Iranian Fateh-110, offering a range of up to 1,400 km and solid-fueled propulsion for faster launch cycles. Also deployed is the Tufan, a medium-range ballistic missile likely based on Scud-C technology, with an estimated reach between 500 and 1,000 km. Most concerning is the emergence of a Soumar-class cruise missile variant, suspected to be a clone of the Iranian system, with a range possibly extending to 2,000 kilometers. This system was observed in western Yemen in early 2024 and could threaten not only Israel but also U.S. and allied military bases in Jordan, Iraq, and the Gulf.

A more recent addition to the Houthi arsenal is the Palestine-1 and Palestine-2 missile systems, revealed in 2024 as part of the group’s narrative of solidarity with Gaza-based factions. The Palestine-2, in particular, is believed to be a long-range ballistic missile derived from Iranian or North Korean base technologies, with an estimated range of up to 1,500 km. This missile has been featured in public parades and reportedly used in recent attacks targeting Israel’s southern regions. The system is believed to carry a larger warhead than earlier Burkan models and may be equipped with terminal guidance upgrades for improved accuracy.

Recent attacks underscore the growing operational reach and political intent behind the Houthi missile strategy. On July 22, 2025, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching multiple ballistic missiles at Eilat and nearby Israeli military installations. The attack prompted the activation of Israel’s Arrow and David’s Sling defense systems, with at least one missile successfully intercepted mid-flight. Days earlier, on July 17, a U.S. Navy warship operating in the Red Sea intercepted two Houthi-fired cruise missiles believed to be targeting maritime traffic or coalition assets near Bab al-Mandab. On June 18, fragments of another long-range missile were recovered in Israel’s Arava Valley following an attempted strike on infrastructure in the Negev Desert. These events follow a May 3 launch, during which a missile from western Yemen triggered emergency alerts as it passed near Eilat before being intercepted over the Red Sea.

The Houthis employ mobile Transporter Erector Launchers (TELs) and hardened launch sites embedded in mountainous regions of Sa’ada, Hajjah, and Al-Jawf, making early detection and interception more difficult. Yemen’s rugged topography offers natural concealment, and recent satellite imagery has revealed fortified positions likely designed for long-term missile deployment.

Iran remains the primary external supplier and strategic enabler of the Houthi missile arsenal. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force is believed to provide technical training, components, and guidance for assembling and launching advanced missile systems. Many of the missiles in Houthi hands, including the Burkan, Quds, Zulfiqar, and Palestine series, are either direct transfers or locally assembled versions of Iranian models. The Soumar-type cruise missile represents an advanced capability likely smuggled into Yemen in components and assembled in-country. North Korean missile design influence has also been noted, particularly in the structural features of the Burkan series. Hezbollah, acting as a force multiplier for Iranian regional strategy, has reportedly contributed to Houthi missile training and battlefield targeting practices.

Israeli missile defense architecture, including Arrow-3, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome, continues to adapt to the evolving threat but remains constrained by limited reaction time and the growing diversity of incoming missile types. U.S. and coalition naval forces in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden are now routinely placed on high alert due to the expanding reach of Houthi cruise missiles. The July 2025 incidents confirm that not only Israeli cities but also Western forces and critical shipping lanes remain active targets for long-range Houthi strikes.

With each new attack and every system added to its arsenal, the Houthis demonstrate their strategic integration into Iran’s broader regional deterrence framework. Their role has shifted from localized actor to operational arm in Iran’s multi-front strategy, capable of disrupting maritime commerce, threatening U.S. bases, and striking Israeli territory from the south. This transformation marks the emergence of a persistent and high-impact missile threat radiating from Yemen into the wider Middle East theater.