The Houthi rebels in Yemen has significantly expanded its missile capabilities, transitioning from a localized insurgent group into a regional actor capable of threatening the United States, and allied forces across the Middle East, according to an Exclusive Report: published by Army Recognition Group SPRL
Backed by Iranian technology and strategic direction, the report added, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.