DID Press: Yemen’s Ansarullah movement has launched a major three-day wave of attacks against Saudi-backed forces in Marib, Hadramout, Al-Jawf and along the Red Sea coast, with Yemeni military sources claiming that more than 50 ballistic missiles and around 30 attack drones were used.
According to Yemeni military sources, the attacks were carried out from several mountainous areas and operational bases, marking what they described as the largest escalation in four years in terms of the volume and variety of weapons used. The reported strikes involved short- and medium-range missiles and attack drones.
On Friday, Ansarullah reportedly launched successive waves of attacks against positions around Marib, using about 20 missiles and 15 drones. A significant number of the missiles were reportedly launched from the Jabal Hailan mountain range in Sirwah district, followed by another salvo of 12 missiles from the same area.
Field sources also reported five missile launches from the vicinity of the Mas camp in Madghal district, northwest of Marib, and another missile from the direction of Al-Fardah camp in Nahm district, east of Sanaa. The reported launch sites extended toward Al-Jawf, with drones allegedly launched from the Al-Aqshaa mountains east of Al-Hazm and the Ham mountains west of the city.
Witnesses near Sanaa also reported seeing two missiles launched from the Al-Kassarat area, near Al-Ghoush camp in Hamdan district, heading east.
Weapons Reportedly Used
Military analysts cited in the reports said the projectiles used in attacks near populated areas were believed to include Zelzal, Burkan and Badr missiles, described as short-range solid-fuel systems that Ansarullah has used extensively in previous years.
The drones were reportedly believed to include Qasef-K2, Qasef-1, Khatif and Rajum models.
Expansion of the Geographic Scope
The escalation reportedly came a day after Ansarullah targeted positions belonging to the Emergency Forces and Dir al-Watan forces in Marib and Hadramout. Saudi-linked sources initially reported 17 deaths, while subsequent official reports put the toll at more than 50 dead and over 100 wounded.
On Wednesday, military sources also reported missile launches from positions around Sanaa toward northeastern Taiz. Shortly afterward, reports emerged that the Saudi tanker Wafaa had been struck in the Red Sea. Another missile was later reportedly launched from Al-Sawmaah in Al-Bayda toward the Gulf of Aden, while Ansarullah military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the Saudi tanker Daisy had been targeted with a ballistic missile.
Ansarullah’s Weapons Stockpiles
Military assessments, as well as statements attributed to the Aden-based government and Saudi sources, indicate that Ansarullah maintains a large and diverse arsenal of short- and medium-range missiles and attack drones.
The group’s weapons capabilities have reportedly remained intact and, according to these assessments, have expanded and been upgraded since the UN-brokered ceasefire in April 2022.