Houthi Missile, Drone Attack Kills 45 Yemeni Government Troops, Injures Dozens More

Yemen’s internationally recognized government vowed to retaliate after Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks Thursday on military positions in Marib and Hadhramaut, killing at least 45 government troops and wounding about 80, according to Yemeni officials and Al Arabiya.

The country’s Defense Ministry described the assault as a “treacherous attack” targeting armed forces camps and units with ballistic missiles and drones: “[We] will respond to the Houthis’ aggression at the appropriate place and time,” the ministry said in a statement.

Yemeni military sources told Al Arabiya English that at least 45 government soldiers were killed in the strikes, which hit camps belonging to Saudi-backed government forces, primarily Emergency Forces units.

The same sources said around 80 wounded personnel were receiving treatment at hospitals in Marib and Seiyun. Witnesses reported that the Houthis fired eight missiles from the Al-Mahzamat mountains in Al-Jawf province during the attack.

Multiple army camps and units, including emergency-force positions, were struck, resulting in casualties and material damage, according to The leadership of the First Emergency Division. The attack followed what it described as recent security and military successes by government forces in securing areas and international roads and pursuing smuggling gangs, bandits, and criminal cells.

In a separate statement, the Houthi Armed Forces claimed responsibility for what it called a “large-scale and precise military operation” targeting Saudi troop concentrations in Al-Ruwaik, Al-Abr, and Al-Thaniyah, as well as camps belonging to what it referred to as the First and Third Emergency Divisions. The Houthis said the operation involved ballistic missiles and drones.

The Houthi statement also warned against further Saudi military action and said the group would continue what it called a “siege for siege” policy until what it describes as the siege on Yemen is lifted.