Deadliest Houthi attack in years: dozens of soldiers killed in Yemen

At least 45 soldiers of the Yemeni government forces were killed and dozens wounded in a large-scale Houthi attack on military camps in Marib and Hadramawt. The Houthis claimed responsibility and said they fired missiles and drones at Saudi troop concentrations. The attack is considered one of the deadliest since the informal ceasefire in April 2022, and comes amid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia, including the declaration of a 'naval siege'.

At least 45 soldiers belonging to the Yemeni government forces were killed today (Thursday), and at least 50 others were wounded, in a large-scale attack by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels on military camps in the center and east of the country. Government officials said the death toll could rise further. The attacks targeted bases in the provinces of Marib and Hadramawt, which are under the control of the internationally recognized government. The Yemeni army confirmed casualties in its ranks but did not provide official figures. The health minister ordered hospitals in the provinces to raise alertness and prepare for additional casualties. Marib is considered one of the main strongholds of the anti-Houthi camp, and it hosts the country's only gas field and one of the largest oil fields. Hadramawt is Yemen's largest province and a key arena in the power struggles between the Saudi-backed government and the UAE-backed southern separatists. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack and said they fired ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi troop concentrations, and that 'hundreds of fighters' were killed or wounded. Their military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said: 'We are ready to deal with any escalation.' The attack is considered one of the deadliest inside Yemen since the informal ceasefire in April 2022. The US condemned the attack. The escalation comes after weeks of deteriorating relations, including the Houthis' declaration of a 'naval siege' against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis are also considering charging ships in the southern Red Sea. Just yesterday they claimed to have fired missiles at two Saudi oil tankers. Data from Kpler showed an unusual drop in ship traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.