17 Yemeni soldiers, officer killed in Houthi drone attack
Aden, August 7
A Houthi missile and drone attack on Yemeni government forces killed 18 security personnel, including an officer, and injured several others, according to Yemen's army.
The army said 17 soldiers and one officer were killed in the assault, which involved ballistic missiles and drones. Several other personnel sustained injuries in the attack, Al Jazeera reported.
The attack comes amid escalating hostilities in the region, with the Iran-aligned Houthi group intensifying both military operations inside Yemen and attacks on maritime targets linked to Saudi Arabia.
Earlier on Thursday, the Houthis claimed they had "successfully" carried out a ballistic missile strike on the Saudi oil tanker Daisy in the Gulf of Aden.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the group said the vessel was hit and forced to change course.
"Successfully targeted the Saudi oil tanker 'Daisy' in the Gulf of Aden with a ballistic missile. The operation achieved its objective, by the grace of God, and the ship was hit and forced to turn back," the Houthis claimed.
The group said the strike formed part of what it described as a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
"This targeting comes within the framework of enforcing the maritime blockade against the Saudi enemy, according to the principle of 'blockade for blockade'," the statement said, adding that it would continue targeting Saudi oil vessels until its demands were met.
The latest claim came a day after the Houthis announced another ballistic missile strike on the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa off the coast of Yanbu in the northern Red Sea. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the strike was accurate and said the group had targeted eight Saudi oil tankers since launching its maritime campaign on July 22.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two separate maritime security incidents on August 5 involving tankers near Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz. In both cases, vessel crews were reported safe, and no environmental damage was recorded, while investigations into the incidents remain underway.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is really concerning from a global security perspective. The Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb are critical chokepoints for international trade, including oil shipments to India. If the Houthis are now targeting Saudi oil tankers, it could disrupt energy supplies and raise fuel prices worldwide. We need international action to de-escalate this conflict before it spirals further.
This is what happens when foreign powers keep poking their noses into other countries' affairs. The Houthis didn't just wake up one day and start attacking Saudi tankers; there's a history of intervention and bombing campaigns that have fueled this cycle of violence. As someone who follows Middle East geopolitics closely, I can see the karma at play here. The real victims are the common people and soldiers on both sides. 🙏
These drone and missile attacks are a reminder of how modern warfare has changed. Even non-state actors now have access to advanced weapons that can take out naval vessels and military bases. The 18 soldiers killed in Yemen is a tragic loss. I hope the international community understands that leaving Yemen to bleed is not an option anymore. We need a diplomatic solution, not more weapons.
Very unfortunate. As an Indian, I worry about the safety of the 2-3 million Indians working in the Gulf region. Every escalation like this puts their lives at risk. The shot at the Saudi oil tanker shows that this conflict is spreading to maritime routes, which could affect global shipping and jobs. I pray for peace in Yemen and safety for all those caught in this conflict. 🇮🇳🙏
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