Houthi Bomb Yemeni Military Base, Saudi Nationals Among Victims

At least 30 government military personnel were killed and 11 civilians injured on Thursday, August 6, when Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles and drone strikes against central Yemen military camps, according to the Yemeni Ministry of Defense and the Saudi-led coalition. The assault targeted facilities across Marib and Hadramawt provinces, shattering a largely holding UN-mediated ceasefire that has kept a fragile peace since 2022.

Military Camps Hit in Marib and Hadramawt

The strikes hit multiple installations at approximately 10:40 local time (07:40 GMT), according to the Yemeni Ministry of Defense. A military official told AFP that projectiles impacted a camp in the Al-Ruwaik area of Marib Province, alongside installations in the Al-Abr and Al-Wadiah regions of Hadramawt Province near the Saudi border. The Ministry of Defense condemned the barrage as an act of “treachery” and vowed to respond to the aggression at an appropriate time and place.

Casualty figures vary among reporting sources on the ground. While the official government toll stands at 30 dead, AFP cited military sources putting the death toll at least 58 personnel. Pro-government newspaper Aden al Ghad and anti-Houthi television outlet Belqees reported that more than 40 military members lost their lives in the attacks.

Civilian Casualties Along the Saudi Border

The violence extended across the border into Saudi territory, where the Saudi-led coalition reported that 11 civilians sustained injuries in the Najran border region. In a statement shared on X, coalition officials detailed that the wounded include seven Saudi nationals, among them a woman and a four-year-old child who suffered second-degree burns. Four additional civilians from Yemen, Pakistan, and Egypt were also wounded in the cross-border impact.

Houthi Justification and Regional Context

The Houthi movement, which controls northwestern Yemen and receives backing from Iran, claimed responsibility for the operation. Houthi military spokesperson Yahia Sarea asserted that the strikes targeted a major buildup of Saudi military forces preparing an offensive. Sarea claimed the raids killed and injured hundreds of enemy Saudi mercenaries and destroyed buildings, weapons, and military vehicles across camps in Al-Ruwaik, Al-Abr, and Al-Thaniyah.

Yemen remains deeply fractured by a civil war that began in 2014 when Houthi fighters ousted the government from Sanaa. The conflict escalated in 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the internationally recognized administration. The protracted conflict has claimed more than 150,000 lives and driven a severe humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations estimating that more than 22 million people require assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who carried out the military camp attacks in Yemen?

Houthi forces executed the missile and drone strikes against military camps in Marib and Hadramawt provinces, according to the Yemeni Ministry of Defense.

How many casualties were reported in the August 6 attack?

The Yemeni Ministry of Defense reported 30 military personnel killed and 11 civilians injured. However, other military sources cited by AFP put the death toll at 58.

Were any Saudi citizens among the wounded?

Yes. The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that seven of the 11 injured civilians were Saudi nationals, including a woman and a four-year-old child with second-degree burns.