The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had intercepted two missiles launched from Yemen, as Iran-aligned Houthi forces stepped up their long-range attacks amid ongoing regional tensions.
Sirens sounded twice across Israel, including in Jerusalem and parts of the occupied West Bank, warning of incoming threats. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed successful interception of the missiles, which were believed to be launched toward central Israeli targets.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the group had launched a ballistic missile toward Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international gateway, as well as two drones targeting the Tel Aviv area.
Despite ongoing Israeli retaliatory airstrikes in Yemen, the Houthis vowed to continue their campaign. “Our operations against Israel will persist in support of Gaza,” the group said in a statement, reiterating their declared alignment with Palestinian factions in Gaza amid the war that erupted in October 2023 between Israel and Hamas.
The Houthis, who are based in northern Yemen, have fired dozens of missiles and drones toward Israel over the past seven months. Most have been intercepted by Israeli air defense systems or fallen short, according to Israeli authorities.
In response to the attacks, Israel has launched multiple airstrikes inside Yemen. A May 6 strike damaged Sanaa International Airport, and further Israeli strikes targeted Hodeidah and Salif ports on Yemen’s Red Sea coast last week.
While the Houthis recently agreed to a ceasefire with the United States aimed at halting their attacks on U.S. vessels in the Red Sea, they insist their operations against Israel will continue, underscoring the broader regional fallout of the Israel-Hamas conflict and growing Iran-backed militant activity across the Middle East.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from Thursday's missile interceptions. Israeli officials have reiterated that the country's multi-layered missile defense system, including David's Sling, Iron Dome, and Arrow, remains on high alert.
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The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia remains willing to rebuild relations with European countries but warned that any wider conflict on the continent would leave no winners, as he commented on recent diplomatic contacts with Nordic leaders and growing security concerns in the Baltic region.
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday as part of efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran, according to an official briefed on the talks.
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan surged by 330 per cent in 2026 despite a four-year ban, the United Nations said on Thursday. Afghan authorities disputed the findings, while Japan urged continued support for farmers seeking alternative livelihoods.
Central Asia could gain up to $640 million a year from closer energy cooperation, but strained electricity grids threaten to limit those gains, with Kazakhstan particularly exposed to regional power shortages and growing pressure on its network.
Georgia and Azerbaijan are stepping up efforts to boost trade, strengthen transport links between Asia and Europe and resolve a longstanding border dispute, as both countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership.
People travelling between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan could soon be able to pay for purchases using their usual banking apps. Central banks from the five countries are working on linking their national payment systems.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
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