Houthi attack kills 2, wounds 14 in Marib's residential areas and IDP camps
Synopsis
Houthi forces struck residential neighbourhoods and IDP camps in Yemen's Marib province on 7 August, killing two civilians and wounding 14 — a day after attacks reportedly killed dozens of government troops in Marib and Hadramout. Yemen's Health Ministry is calling it a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and demanding urgent global action.
Key Takeaways
Two civilians killed and 14 wounded in a Houthi strike on Marib city on Friday, 7 August .
Strikes targeted residential neighbourhoods and IDP displacement camps , as well as government military sites including the Third Military Region headquarters .
Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population placed all hospitals on high alert and condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed 'hundreds' of government fighters were killed or wounded in Thursday and Friday strikes across Marib and Hadramout — figures not independently verified.
The strikes came a day after Houthi attacks reportedly killed 'dozens' of Saudi-backed government troops in the same region.
A Houthi missile and drone assault on Marib, Yemen's central province, killed two civilians and wounded 14 others on Friday, 7 August, according to a statement by Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population. The strikes targeted residential neighbourhoods and displacement camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs), drawing a sharp condemnation from health authorities.
What the Ministry Said
The ministry condemned what it called the shelling by the 'terrorist Houthi militia' against civilian areas in Marib city, stating that the preliminary toll stood at two dead and 14 wounded with injuries of varying severity. All hospitals and health facilities in the region were placed on high alert, with instructions to mobilise all available resources to treat the wounded.
The ministry's statement described the strikes as 'a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,' calling on the international community and humanitarian organisations to take 'a serious and urgent stance' to protect civilians and halt their continued targeting.
Military Targets Also Hit
Beyond civilian areas, missile and drone strikes also hit government military sites across Marib province, according to a Yemeni military source who spoke on condition of anonymity. The source said Houthi forces targeted several military camps, including the headquarters of the Third Military Region in Marib city. Residents reported a series of explosions shaking the city during the attacks, with local media confirming strikes on military positions in and around the province.
Houthi Claims and the Wider Offensive
The Friday strikes came a day after Houthi attacks reportedly killed 'dozens' of government troops in Marib and the neighbouring province of Hadramout. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Thursday that ballistic missiles and drones had targeted military camps and troop concentrations belonging to Saudi-backed government forces in both provinces. Saree claimed that 'hundreds' of government fighters had been killed or wounded — a figure that could not be independently verified.
Humanitarian and Legal Implications
Marib has long served as a refuge for Yemenis displaced by the country's decade-long civil war, making its IDP camps particularly vulnerable to military spillover. The deliberate targeting of displacement camps, if confirmed, would constitute a serious breach of international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. The ministry's appeal to global human-rights bodies underscores the deepening civilian toll as the conflict in Yemen shows no sign of abating. With both sides trading claims of mass casualties, independent verification of battlefield figures remains extremely difficult.
What Comes Next
Health authorities in Marib are expected to continue emergency operations as the casualty count may rise. The strikes are likely to intensify calls from the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen, where peace efforts have repeatedly stalled.
Point of View
And displacement camps there have repeatedly been caught in the crossfire. The ministry's appeal to international humanitarian law is well-founded, but such appeals have consistently failed to produce accountability in Yemen's conflict. With Houthi claims of 'hundreds' of government casualties unverifiable and the civilian death toll confirmed by health authorities, the information environment around this war remains deeply asymmetric. The international community's response, or lack thereof, will again be the real test.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Marib, Yemen on 7 August?
Houthi forces launched missile and drone strikes on residential neighbourhoods and IDP camps in Marib city on 7 August, killing two civilians and wounding 14 others, according to Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population. Military sites including the Third Military Region headquarters were also targeted.
Who confirmed the civilian casualties in the Marib attack?
Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population confirmed the casualties in an official statement, citing a preliminary toll of two dead and 14 wounded with injuries of varying severity. The ministry also ordered all hospitals in the region to raise their alert levels.
What did the Houthi military spokesperson claim?
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Thursday that ballistic missiles and drones had targeted military camps and troop concentrations of Saudi-backed government forces in Marib and Hadramout, claiming 'hundreds' of government fighters were killed or wounded. These figures have not been independently verified.
Why is the targeting of Marib's IDP camps significant?
Marib has served as a major refuge for Yemenis displaced by the decade-long civil war, making its IDP camps home to some of the country's most vulnerable civilians. Striking displacement camps is considered a serious violation of international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions.
What has the Yemeni government called for in response?
Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population has called on the international community, humanitarian organisations, and human-rights bodies to take 'a serious and urgent stance' to protect civilians and end their continued targeting by Houthi forces.
