Yemeni government officials reported that at least 30 soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded following a series of missile and drone strikes on military camps in the Hadramout and Marib governorates. These incidents represent the most significant loss of life in the ongoing civil conflict in recent years, signaling a sharp rise in regional hostilities.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the operation resulted in “hundreds” of casualties, though official government sources provided lower figures. The Yemeni military acknowledged the strikes, characterizing them as a retaliatory measure following their own recent offensive operations against the rebel group.
According to military reports, the Houthis launched eight missiles from the al-Jawf governorate, specifically targeting the al-Thiniya and al-Abr camps in Hadramout, as well as the al-Rouk facility in Marib. Authorities warned that the death toll may increase as recovery efforts continue.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, has seen a recent surge in violence after four years of relative stability. Saree stated that the latest offensive was a direct response to “military build-ups” by government forces supported by Saudi Arabia, which he alleged were intended to escalate the war.
Tensions have been mounting for weeks, particularly after a dispute involving Iranian aircraft. In mid-July, the Yemeni government reported striking Sanaa airport to block an Iranian plane from landing, following a previous incident where the Houthis claimed an aircraft was denied entry. The rebels responded by targeting Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport, an attack that Riyadh reported was successfully intercepted.
On July 20, the Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, initiating attacks on vessels linked to the kingdom in the Red Sea. These maritime disruptions have occurred alongside the broader impact of the US-Iran conflict, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and hindered regional energy exports.
In response to the Houthi actions, the Saudi-led coalition has resumed airstrikes on rebel targets in western Yemen, marking the first such military intervention since 2022. The coalition has struggled to decisively defeat the Houthi movement since its initial intervention in 2015.
The Houthi leadership continues to justify their maritime blockade and military escalations as a necessary reaction to the ongoing “Saudi siege” of territories under their control. With both sides mobilizing forces across western and central Yemen, the situation remains highly volatile.
The sources said casualty numbers were expected to rise.
On July 13, the Yemeni government said that forces hit Sanaa airport to prevent another Iranian plane from landing.