Houthi attacks in Yemen kill dozens and threaten Red Sea shipping

On Thursday, Houthi missile and drone strikes on military camps in Yemen's Marib and Hadramout provinces killed at least 30 government troops, with some reports putting the death toll as high as 58. The rebels said they targeted weapons depots and vehicles after observing a large Saudi military buildup. Saudi officials warned that further coordinated attacks are imminent and reported that shelling in Najran province injured 11 civilians, including a child.

Analysts note that the Houthi threat is now part of a broader Red Sea security challenge. Instability in the Horn of Africa—fuelled by Sudan’s civil war, Ethiopia‑Eritrea tensions and Somali internal disputes—combined with competing Middle‑Eastern powers (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Israel) raises the risk of wider disruption to one of the world’s key maritime corridors. Recent piracy incidents off Somalia and the low‑cost drone capability of both state and non‑state actors add to the danger for oil shipments and global trade.

European nations face direct economic and security risks from any escalation, prompting calls for expanded naval mandates and diplomatic pressure on regional actors to restrain further attacks.