At least 30 Yemeni government troops were killed and 50 others wounded in coordinated missile and drone strikes on military camps in Marib and Hadramout provinces on Thursday, according to Yemeni officials. The attacks, claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, targeted camps of the Emergency Forces in the Al Ruwayk and Al Abr areas, marking a significant escalation after a 2022 ceasefire had largely halted major fighting between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government.
Houthi claims and rationale
The Houthis, who control much of northwest Yemen, stated the strikes were a preemptive response to what they described as a large Saudi military build-up in eastern Yemen. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the attacks targeted Saudi troop concentrations and Saudi-aligned fighters, whom the group referred to as "enemy mercenaries." He warned Yemeni forces aligned with the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) to abandon government bases, stating, "We advise those who have been misled... to leave the camps of the Saudi enemy and return to their areas before it is too late." Saree added that the Houthis would continue a "siege for siege" equation until what they allege is a siege on their country is lifted.
The 1st Yemeni Emergency Force (YEF) division confirmed its camps in Hadramout and Marib were struck, acknowledging "material and human losses." Yemen’s Health Minister Qasim Bahibah condemned the attacks as "treacherous," stating they were intended to destabilize security and stability. He did not provide a death toll.
International and regional responses
The U.S. Embassy in Yemen, based in the PLC’s capital of Aden, issued a statement expressing "deepest condolences to the families of the brave Yemeni soldiers killed" in the strikes. The statement described the Houthi attacks as "yet another example of terrorism against the Yemeni people." The U.S. Mission to Yemen echoed this sentiment on social media platform X, reiterating condemnation of the rebel group’s actions.
Yemen’s military spokesman did not provide a public death toll but confirmed dead and wounded among its troops. The Yemeni government has not issued an official response beyond acknowledging the attacks and ordering increased readiness in medical facilities in Marib and Hadramout. Health authorities were directed to prepare for a potential rise in casualties.
Background: Yemen’s civil war and ceasefire collapse
The Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, prompting the internationally recognized government to relocate to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition, which includes the UAE and other regional partners, intervened in 2015 to restore the government, triggering a prolonged civil war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
A de facto truce brokered in April 2022 had largely halted major combat between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, though sporadic clashes persisted. The Houthis had continued intermittent attacks on Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea in recent months, citing solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to coalition actions. The group recently declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, alleging a Saudi "siege" on Yemen. Saudi Arabia has denied imposing a blockade.
Casualty and damage assessments
While Yemeni officials reported at least 30 deaths and 50 injuries, the Houthis claimed "hundreds" of Saudi-aligned fighters were killed or wounded, along with the destruction of military camps, weapons depots, and vehicles. Independent verification of these claims has not been immediately possible. The Houthi-affiliated Saba News Agency reported strikes on Al Ruwayk, Al Abr, and Al Thaniyah areas using ballistic missiles and drones.
The Yemeni government has not publicly disputed the locations or methods of the attacks but has not provided further details on casualties or damage. The PLC-aligned forces operate under the banner of the internationally recognized government, which remains in exile in Saudi Arabia.
Ongoing tensions and regional implications
The resumption of large-scale Houthi attacks raises concerns about the fragility of the 2022 ceasefire and the potential for broader regional instability. The Saudi-led coalition’s continued support for the Yemeni government and the Houthis’ alignment with Iran add layers of geopolitical complexity to the conflict. Analysts suggest the attacks may reflect internal Houthi calculations regarding Saudi troop movements or broader regional dynamics, including the Israel-Hamas war and Houthi involvement in Red Sea security disputes.
The international community, including the U.S. and UN, has repeatedly called for a return to negotiations to prevent further escalation. However, the collapse of the ceasefire and the renewed violence underscore the challenges of achieving lasting peace in Yemen.