Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting displacement camps and residential areas in Marib on Friday, resulting in two fatalities and 14 injuries, as reported by state news agency SABA. In response, Yemen’s army announced operations against the Houthis along the frontlines, asserting they would take necessary military measures against any further attacks. This exchange represents a significant escalation between the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which had seen reduced fighting in recent years. A senior Saudi official indicated that Riyadh anticipates coordinated assaults from the Houthis and Iraqi militias, aligned with Iran, further complicating regional tensions. The Houthis claimed their attacks were aimed at Saudi-backed military assets, following prior strikes that killed at least 30 Yemeni government troops, marking one of the deadliest escalations in months.
Why It Matters
The ongoing conflict in Yemen, which began in 2014 when the Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa, has led to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The Saudi-led coalition has supported the Yemeni government since 2015 in an effort to restore its authority. The recent surge in violence comes on the heels of a UN-brokered truce that had temporarily reduced hostilities but expired in October 2022. Increased military actions threaten to destabilize the region further, drawing international concern over navigational rights and the potential for renewed large-scale conflict amidst existing regional tensions involving Iran and its allies.
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