At least 58 Yemeni government soldiers were killed and 11 civilians wounded in a wave of Houthi attacks, according to a BBC report published Friday. The strikes also targeted areas inside Saudi Arabia, the report said.
The BBC, citing its sources, said the attacks represent a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The report did not specify the exact locations of the strikes or the timeframe in which they occurred, but noted the civilian casualties were in Saudi Arabia.
The news comes amid a series of recent Houthi offensives. A separate report from Monte Carlo International, also cited in the summary, said a fresh Houthi attack killed three more Yemeni government troops. Euronews reported that the Houthis launched a second attack within 24 hours in the Marib region, causing additional deaths and injuries.
In response to the violence, the Saudi-led coalition offered condolences for the fallen Yemeni soldiers, calling the assault a "treacherous" act, according to Sabq newspaper. The Yemeni government has also issued its first official comment following the Houthi claim of targeting "Saudi forces," as reported by CNN Arabic.
The BBC report also noted that Iraq is taking steps to prevent attacks on neighboring countries, suggesting a broader regional concern about the conflict spilling over borders. The exact nature of Iraq's move was not detailed in the summary.
The attacks underscore the fragility of the situation in Yemen, where Houthi forces continue to strike both domestic military targets and locations across the Saudi border. The repeated offensives, including the back-to-back strikes in Marib, indicate that the conflict remains highly active despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Watch for further details on Iraq's preventive measures and whether the coalition will respond with new military action in the coming days.
