Houthi missile and drone attacks kill dozens of Yemeni government troops

Yemen's Houthi rebels carried out coordinated missile and drone attacks on Thursday against positions held by Saudi-backed government forces, resulting in dozens of casualties, medical sources reported.

The rebels' military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the strikes were launched in response to what he called a military buildup supported by neighboring Saudi Arabia. At least 38 government troops were killed and 29 others wounded, according to two medical sources cited by AFP. A military official described the assault as the most deadly exchange between the two sides since 2022.

The attacks targeted a military camp in the al-Ruwaik area of Marib province in central Yemen, as well as camps in Al-Abr and Al-Wadiah in Hadramawt province, near the Saudi border. One missile strike hit troops during their morning formation at the Marib camp, killing or wounding at least 45 personnel, according to a military source.

In response, Yemen's internationally recognized government issued a statement vowing to retaliate 'at the appropriate place and time.' The defence ministry said its armed forces would respond to the missile and drone attacks.

The violence threatens to push Yemen back into a more intense cycle of conflict. The Houthis, who have been at war with the government since 2014, had largely observed a UN-brokered truce in 2022. However, last month they upended the ceasefire, welcoming an Iranian aircraft in Sanaa and announcing a maritime blockade of Saudi ports, followed by attacks on Saudi tankers.

These latest strikes come amid escalating regional tensions since the US-Iran war began on February 28. The Houthis control Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, while the government holds most of the south. The decade-long conflict has killed hundreds of thousands and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis.

The Houthi spokesman warned that the rebels are 'prepared to confront any escalation,' signaling the possibility of further violence.