In recent attacks believed to be by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, at least 30 government troops were reported killed and over 50 wounded in Yemen. Yemeni officials shared this information while requesting anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak publicly. A Houthi leader stated that the targets included Saudi-backed troops, causing hundreds of casualties.
The assaults focused on military camps stationed in the Marib and Hadramout provinces. These attacks marked a significant increase in hostilities since a truce was established in April 2022, halting significant conflicts between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The Yemeni army confirmed casualties from the Houthi assaults without specifying the numbers. Meanwhile, Houthi Brigadier General Yahya Saree reported that the strikes in Marib and Hadramout were executed using ballistic missiles and drones. According to Saree, this escalation was in reaction to the buildup of Saudi-allied forces in Yemen’s eastern regions.
Reports indicate substantial destruction, with military camps, depots, vehicles, and weaponry being impacted. Highlighting the seriousness, Saree urged vigilance against Saudi aggression and encouraged striking at concentration points of Saudi troops.
In response, the U.S. mission to Yemen extended condolences to the grieving families and condemned the Houthi attacks, viewing them as terrorism against Yemenis.
Yemen has been entangled in a civil war since 2014 when the Houthis took control of Sanaa, leading to the exile of the internationally recognized government to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition has been engaged in efforts to restore this government since 2015, but the conflict remains deadlocked without a clear victor.
The Houthis defend their recent increase in military action as retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s ongoing air and sea censure on Yemen. This includes their imposition of a naval blockade in strategic areas like the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.