Houthi attacks reportedly kill at least 30 Yemeni government forces
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- Houthis launched missile and drone attacks on Yemeni government military camps in Marib and Hadramawt, killing at least 30 Emergency Forces troops
- Yemeni Health Minister Qasim Bahibah condemned the attacks as 'treacherous' and aimed at destabilizing security, though he did not confirm the death toll
- Houthi spokesman stated the strikes targeted 'large Saudi military build-ups' in preparation for an offensive, signaling intent beyond just anti-government action
- US mission to Yemen labeled the attacks 'cowardly' and described them as acts of 'terrorism against the Yemeni people'
- Saudi-led coalition has supported the Yemeni government since 2015, but remained silent on this latest escalation despite Houthi claims of targeting its forces
Why it matters: The attack kills 30 government soldiers and breaks a fragile calm that had held since the 2022 truce, directly threatening renewed large-scale conflict. With Houthis explicitly citing Saudi military presence as justification, the risk of broader regional escalation grows, especially as Saudi Arabia has already formed a 14-nation Red Sea coalition and prepared for potential ground operations in Yemen.
