Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels killed at least 58 government troops in coordinated missile and drone attacks Thursday, a military source said, marking one of the deadliest days in the country's civil war in the past four years.
The assault came as Yemen became increasingly entangled in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, with the Houthis intensifying attacks on government forces and neighboring Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally and backer of Yemen's internationally recognized government.
The worsening security situation has also accelerated regional defense cooperation. Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defense agreement in Jeddah on Friday, according to Saudi sources familiar with the matter.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the rebels attacked government positions with ballistic missiles and drones in response to what he described as a military buildup backed by neighboring Saudi Arabia.
The attacks killed at least 58 government troops and wounded dozens, according to the military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
