Yemen's Houthi group on Thursday, 6 August claimed responsibility for a large-scale military assault using ballistic missiles and drones against government forces in the eastern provinces of Marib and Hadramout, alleging 'hundreds of casualties' in what appears to be one of the most significant ground offensives in recent months.

Scale of the Attack

A Yemeni military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least 35 government soldiers were killed and scores more wounded in drone strikes on military positions across the two provinces. Some of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition. The official said ballistic missiles were believed to have been used in several of the strikes.

Targets included military barracks and positions at multiple locations, among them bases belonging to the newly-formed, Saudi-backed Yemeni emergency forces. The emergency forces themselves confirmed that several military camps and units — including positions of their 1st Division — were struck, resulting in casualties and material losses.

Context: Why the Attacks Happened Now

The emergency forces said the assault followed recent security operations by government forces against criminal networks and smuggling groups operating in the region — suggesting the Houthi strikes may be a retaliatory escalation. Notably, Marib and Hadramout have long been flashpoints in Yemen's civil war, with Marib in particular holding strategic significance as the last major government-controlled city in northern Yemen and a key oil and gas hub.

Houthi Maritime Strikes on Saudi Tankers

Separately, the Houthi group escalated its maritime campaign, claiming strikes on two Saudi oil tankers within hours of each other. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea, in a statement posted on social media platform X, said the tanker identified as 'Daisy' was hit by a ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden and 'forced to turn back.' Earlier, Sarea said the group had targeted the tanker 'Wafa' with several ballistic missiles off the Saudi port city of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea, calling the strike 'precise.'

Sarea framed both attacks as part of the group's declared maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia under a 'blockade-for-blockade' policy, stating that Houthi forces are monitoring Saudi oil tankers and will block their passage through the southern and northern Red Sea until what they describe as a blockade on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen is lifted.

UK Maritime Authority Response

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a tanker reported hearing a loud explosion nearby while sailing in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen's southern coast on Wednesday, adding that all crew members were safe. The UKMTO did not confirm whether the incident was linked to the Houthi-claimed strike on the 'Daisy.'

What Comes Next

The dual escalation — ground attacks in Marib and Hadramout alongside maritime strikes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — signals a broadening of Houthi operational tempo. With the Saudi-backed emergency forces now directly targeted, pressure on the Saudi-led coalition and international mediators to respond will likely intensify. The situation in Yemen's eastern provinces and regional shipping lanes bears close monitoring in the coming days.