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Arabian Business reported that Houthi rebels killed at least 58 government troops in coordinated attacks on August 6, 2026. The strikes hit camps in Marib and Hadramawt provinces using ballistic missiles and drones, according to a military source who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity. One strike during morning formation at al-Ruwaik camp accounted for many of the casualties, the source said. Medical staff initially put the toll at 38 before it was revised upward.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed the attacks in a statement, saying they targeted concentrations of what he called Saudi enemy forces. Sarea added that the operation destroyed buildings, weapons depots and military vehicles at the sites. He warned of further readiness to respond to any escalation from the opposing side.
The Yemeni defence ministry confirmed the launches of three ballistic missiles at a training center in the area but withheld details on losses. Col. Majed al-Nazili, the military spokesman, verified the attack without elaborating on the impact. The event has prompted calls for an investigation into security lapses at the facilities.
This marks the deadliest single incident for government forces since the 2022 truce, as fighting between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed Houthis has intensified this year. The escalation coincides with heightened regional tensions stemming from the wider conflict involving Iran, according to multiple regional reports.
The attacks occurred as the Houthis have expanded operations beyond Yemen, including previous strikes on Saudi Arabia that raised concerns over oil supply routes through the Red Sea. Saudi civil defence has reported civilian casualties from Houthi drone debris in separate incidents. Industry observers note that such disruptions could affect global energy markets if the conflict spreads further.
Local authorities in Marib and Hadramawt have transferred wounded personnel to larger medical centers due to the volume of injuries. Hospitals issued urgent calls for blood donations in the aftermath. The UN has previously estimated that Yemen’s civil war has claimed over 377,000 lives directly and indirectly since 2015.
