On Sunday, Houthi forces conducted a series of military strikes across coastal Yemen, leading to conflicting reports regarding the total number of casualties. According to military sources cited by AFP, at least four government troops were killed and 20 others wounded in attacks centered on the cities of Mokha and Khokha, located south of the port city of Hodeida. However, other medical sources cited by Middle East Eye reported a higher death toll of at least 11 people in the same region.

The escalation follows the Houthis' recent announcement of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, which has included targeting oil tankers in the Red Sea. Reports also indicate that the group launched a drone salvo aimed at a Saudi oil refinery on the Red Sea coast. These developments occur against the backdrop of a fragile, years-long truce between the Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized Yemeni government, which observers suggest may have effectively collapsed within the last month.

While the Houthis have publicly stated that their operations were intended to target military forces and equipment along the Red Sea coast, the discrepancy in casualty figures highlights the difficulty in verifying information from the conflict zone. The situation remains volatile as the Houthi movement continues to challenge both local government forces and Saudi-linked infrastructure.