The situation in Yemen has escalated, as Houthi group launched a fresh ballistic missile attack targeting gatherings and positions of Saudi-backed forces on the Red Sea port city of Mocha on Wednesday
The latest attack came after two Houthi missile and drone attacks in Mocha since Sunday, leaving eight people, including four government soldiers, dead and dozens of others wounded, according to local sources.
The Houthis have accused the Saudi-backed forces of preparing military operations against Houthi-held areas.
"The message from targeting the ship is clear: any Saudi presence or Saudi weapons, any attempt to create chaos in Yemen, and any action targeting Yemeni people, will not be allowed. These military camps are criminal and target Yemeni sovereignty. What are these forces doing, and why are there such large quantities of weapons?" said Ali Al-Dailami, a member of Political Bureau of Houthis.
In a statement on social media platform X on Tuesday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said "a large number of ballistic missiles and drones" targeted troop gatherings, weapons depots and command centers in Mocha, a coastal city in southwestern Taiz province, and at Tadawin military camp in the northeastern province of Marib.
"What the Sanaa [Houthi] forces did by carrying out strikes and targeting the forces stationed in Marib and Mocha was aimed at stopping the threat posed by these groups, which had established positions in several locations, prepared themselves and acquired advanced weapons. Therefore, what Sanaa did was aimed at stopping the aggression that these forces were preparing to launch against it after gathering in more than one location," said political analyst Mansour Al-Ansi.
The Houthis have sharply intensified missile and drone attacks on government-held areas in Yemen and Saudi-linked targets in recent weeks, raising fears that the military escalation could unravel the relative calm that has largely prevailed since a United Nations-brokered truce took effect in 2022.
Yemen conflict escalates with Houthi attacks on Saudi vessel
