Military camps in two Yemeni provinces came under a devastating combination of missile and drone fire on Thursday, leaving at least 30 government soldiers dead and an unknown number wounded.
The attacks struck positions in Marib and Hadramout, two strategically important provinces located in different parts of Yemen. Their geographic separation indicates that the operation was designed to hit multiple military locations within a short period.
The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying ballistic missiles and attack drones were launched against troop concentrations in Al Ruwayk, Al Abr and Al Thaniyah.
The group described the targeted forces as being aligned with Saudi Arabia and claimed that military camps, weapons depots and vehicles were destroyed. It also alleged that hundreds of fighters were killed or injured, but that much higher casualty claim had not been independently confirmed.
Medical facilities in Marib and Hadramout were instructed to increase their emergency readiness as wounded personnel arrived for treatment. The official death toll may rise as rescue teams assess the affected camps and hospitals provide further updates.
The Houthis said the operation was launched after they detected what they believed to be a large Saudi military build-up ahead of a possible offensive against areas under their control. No independent evidence confirming preparations for such an offensive was immediately available.
The assault threatens to open another dangerous phase in Yemen’s long conflict. Missile attacks on military bases can rapidly provoke counterstrikes, potentially drawing neighbouring countries more deeply into the fighting.
Saudi Arabia has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government since 2015, after the Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa, the previous year. More than a decade of conflict has damaged hospitals, roads, water systems and the national economy.
The latest attacks come amid additional tension in the Red Sea, where the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July. The group accused Riyadh of imposing a siege on Yemen, an allegation rejected by Saudi authorities.
For Yemen’s civilian population, any renewed escalation could worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis. Increased fighting may interrupt food deliveries, restrict travel and force more families to abandon communities near military positions.
The confirmed information remains limited to at least 30 soldiers killed in attacks carried out on 6 August. The exact number of wounded, the full extent of the damage and the possibility of retaliatory military action remain developing parts of the story.
