The Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeted a Saudi military base in the southwestern Yemeni port city of Mocha with ballistic missiles and drone strikes, resulting in at least 11 deaths and 32 injuries among Yemeni forces and civilians.
On August 9, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated in a release, "We launched a large-scale attack aimed at Saudi military personnel and arsenals in the Mocha area."
The Houthis claimed to have deployed multiple ballistic missiles and drones, asserting that there were numerous casualties on the Saudi side. However, Saudi military casualties have not been confirmed. According to medical sources cited by AFP from the Yemeni government, the attack resulted in the deaths of eight Yemeni soldiers and three civilians.
Reports indicate that military bases of pro-government forces on the outskirts of Mocha and islands near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key route in the Red Sea, were also targeted.
The Houthis claimed that the attack was a response to the reinforcement of Saudi troops and assaults on Yemen's western coast and the Taiz region. The Saudi side has not issued a separate statement regarding the Mocha attack.
On the same day, the Houthis also claimed responsibility for a fire at the Saudi state oil company Aramco's refinery in Jizan, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities confirmed that a fire occurred at the facility but was extinguished, stating that there were no casualties, though they did not disclose the cause.
Recently, the Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and have continued attacks on Saudi vessels and oil facilities in the Red Sea. Saudi forces have also maintained their operations against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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