Houthi rebels kill dozens of Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces

A "technical" is pictured as fighters supporting the Aden-based internationally-recognised Yemeni government gather during a vigil along the Red Sea shore in Khokha, in Yemen's western Hodeidah province on July 20, 2026. © Khaled Ziad, AFP

At least 38 members of the Yemeni government forces were killed Thursday in drone and missile attacks carried out by Houthi rebels, according to medical sources. The Iran-backed Houthis claimed the attacks were in retaliation for what they described as a recent military buildup supported by Saudi Arabia.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis killed dozens of Saudi-supported government troops in missile and drone attacks Thursday, medical sources said, as the country's conflict becomes the latest front in the US-Iran war.