Houthi missile and drone strikes target pro-Saudi forces in Marib
The Houthi movement in Yemen announced on Friday that its forces targeted the Sahn al-Jinn military facility in Marib province using missiles and drones. According to the group, the strike hit positions held by pro-Saudi forces, including supply depots, transport vehicles, and military equipment, as reported by Reuters. Prior to this statement, Yemeni state television reported that air defence units had intercepted several Houthi drones over Marib, which is located east of the capital, Sanaa. The official Saba news agency, citing local Marib officials, stated that the Houthis launched ballistic missiles and drones at residential neighbourhoods and camps for displaced persons. The report confirmed two deaths and 14 injuries. This attack occurred one day after strikes on the border city of Najran in southern Saudi Arabia. A military spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen stated that 11 civilians were wounded in those attacks, including seven Saudi citizens, two Egyptians, one Pakistani national, and one Yemeni citizen. Maritime tensions have also risen in recent days. Houthi officials claimed on Wednesday that their forces launched missile attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, one near the Red Sea port of Yanbu and another in the Gulf of Aden. Last month, the Houthis announced a naval blockade on Red Sea shipping lanes following restrictions placed on commercial shipping and flights into Houthi-controlled provinces. The Saudi government responded by stating it would use all legal mechanisms permitted under international law to protect commercial shipping routes. This latest round of fighting follows heavy ground battles in early July in western Yemen, where government forces clashed with Houthis in the south of Hodeidah province, resulting in at least 50 Houthi deaths and dozens of injuries. The Houthis also accused the Saudi air force of attacking Sanaa International Airport, but the internationally recognised Yemeni government claimed responsibility, stating the objective was to intercept an aircraft arriving from Iran. Subsequently, the Houthis launched retaliatory missile strikes towards southwestern Saudi Arabia, targeting areas near Abha airport.