At least 58 Yemeni government troops were killed and dozens more wounded in missile and drone attacks carried out by Iran-backed Houthis on Thursday, marking one of the deadliest days of the country's civil war in four years.
The attacks underscore Yemen's increasing entanglement in the broader regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, stating the strikes targeted government positions with ballistic missiles and drones in retaliation for an alleged military buildup supported by neighboring Saudi Arabia.
A military source, speaking anonymously, confirmed the death toll of at least 58, noting that medical sources had initially reported 38 fatalities. The official described Thursday's assaults on troop camps as the most severe since 2022. Yemen's Ministry of Defence issued a statement vowing a response "at the appropriate place and time."
The escalation also extended across the border, with Saudi authorities reporting that Houthi attacks in the southern Najran region wounded 11 civilians, including seven Saudis, one Yemeni, two Egyptians, and one Pakistani. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki accused the Houthis of "indiscriminate shelling against civilian objects" and affirmed the coalition's continued commitment to protecting civilians.
The Houthi provocations against Saudi Arabia have intensified since last month, coinciding with increased regional tensions. A military official, who also requested anonymity, indicated that attacks targeted military camps in Marib and Hadramawt provinces, including one strike during morning formation that resulted in significant casualties. The Houthis have been at war with the internationally recognized Yemeni government since 2014, a conflict that has devastated the country and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis.
