Houthi attacks in eastern Yemen killed 30 troops loyal to the internationally recognized government. The strikes hit positions in Marib and Hadramout provinces, two areas where the Iran-backed group has been pushing for months.
The latest battlefield losses
The deadliest incident occurred in Marib, where Houthi fighters overran a military post. At least 18 soldiers died there. Another 12 were killed in a separate assault in Hadramout. The attacks come as the Houthis intensify their campaign to seize Marib city, the government's last stronghold in the north.
Government forces have been struggling to hold the line. The loss of 30 troops in a single day is a heavy blow. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of Saudi-led coalition air support, which has been scaled back since a ceasefire offer earlier this year.
Marib and Hadramout under pressure
Marib province is home to key oil and gas facilities. Hadramout, further east, is a vast desert region that has seen less fighting but remains contested. The Houthis have been trying to cut supply routes between the two provinces.
Local sources said the attacks used a mix of artillery and ground assaults. The Houthis have also deployed drones and missiles in recent weeks, though it is unclear if those were used in these specific strikes.
A war without end?
Yemen's civil war has been grinding on since 2014. The Houthis control Sanaa and most of the north. The government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, holds the south and east. Peace talks have stalled. The UN has warned that the country faces one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
These latest deaths are unlikely to change the military stalemate. But they could harden positions on both sides. The government has not yet announced a formal response. The Houthis have not commented on the attacks.
What happens next depends on whether the coalition steps up air strikes or pushes for a new ceasefire. For now, the families of the 30 dead soldiers are left waiting.
