U.S. Mission to Yemen Attributes Houthi Attacks Killing Soldiers in Marib and Hadhramawt

YEMEN / RED SEA / STRAIT OF HORMUZ — The U.S. Mission to Yemen stated on August 6 that it expresses deepest condolences to the families of the Yemeni soldiers killed that day in Hadhramawt and Marib.

The mission attributed the attacks to the Iran-backed Houthis and described them as another example of their terrorism against the Yemeni people. It wished the wounded a speedy recovery.

Yemeni government sources reported that the attacks struck military camps of the internationally recognized government in Marib and Hadhramawt, killing at least 30 troops and wounding at least 50 others. The targets included camps of the government’s Emergency Forces and related units.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated on August 5 that Iran and Oman had reached a mutual understanding on the geographical coordinates of a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaei added that any such agreement would not by itself guarantee security in the strategic waterway.

A joint statement incorporating the main points of agreement remained in the final stage of review and drafting, provided certain third parties did not obstruct the process.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi noted that a significant portion of the new route is located in Iranian territorial waters with a part in Omani territorial waters.

President Trump stated that the Strait is going to be open very soon, or they are going to get hit very hard, and then the Strait is going to be open.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations issued Warning 105-26 on August 5 recording a time-late account of an incident 9 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukha, Yemen, on August 4.

The company security officer reported that the vessel was attacked by an unmanned surface vessel that caused a fire onboard. Local authorities rescued the crew, who are safe and well. The vessel has been reported as sunk. UKMTO does not name the vessel.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs identified the motor sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya as the vessel that sank in the Red Sea off Yemen on August 4 and reported the rescue of all 13 Indian nationals.

U.S. Central Command stated on August 4 that the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz remains free and open. Over the past three months U.S. forces have assisted more than 1,000 vessels. As of August 4, forces supporting the blockade against Iran have redirected 45 commercial vessels, disabled 2, and boarded 2.

Latest Developments

• U.S. Mission to Yemen attributed lethal attacks on government camps in Marib and Hadhramawt on August 6 to Iran-backed Houthis and expressed condolences for the killed soldiers.

• Yemeni government sources reported at least 30 troops killed and at least 50 wounded in the same attacks.

• Iranian Foreign Ministry statements of August 5 recorded agreement with Oman on Hormuz route coordinates and placed a joint statement in final drafting.

• UKMTO Warning 105-26 recorded an unmanned surface vessel attack that sank a commercial vessel 9 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukha on August 4, with all crew rescued.

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs identified MSV Faize Noore Oliya as the sunk vessel and confirmed rescue of its 13 Indian nationals.

Official Statements

• U.S. Mission to Yemen, August 6: “The U.S. Mission to Yemen expresses our deepest condolences to the families of the brave Yemeni soldiers killed today in Hadhramawt and Marib. The Iran-backed Houthis’ cowardly attacks represent yet another example of their terrorism against the Yemeni people. We wish the wounded a speedy recovery.”

• Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, August 5: “The geographical coordinates of the route proposed by the two sides have been agreed upon, and provided that certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement by the two countries, incorporating the main considerations and points of agreement, is also in the final stage of review and drafting.” Baghaei added that any such agreement between Iran and Oman would not by itself guarantee security in the strategic waterway.

• Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, August 5: “A significant portion of this new route is located in Iranian territorial waters, and a part of it is in Omani territorial waters.”

• United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Warning 105-26, August 5: “UKMTO has received a time-late report of an incident 9NM southwest of Al Mukha, Yemen. The CSO of the vessel has reported that the vessel was attacked by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel which caused a fire onboard. The crew have been rescued by local authorities and are safe and well. The vessel has been reported as sunk. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO while authorities are investigating.”

• India Ministry of External Affairs, August 4: “We condemn the attack on the Indian flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya that sank in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen on August 4, 2026. All 13 Indian nationals have been rescued. Our Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Yemeni authorities for the safety and security of the crew. We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support.”

• President Trump, public remarks: “The Strait is going to be open very soon, or they’re going to get hit very hard, and then the Strait is going to be open.”