Beirut: Yemen's Houthi group carried out fresh ballistic missile and drone attacks on the city of Mokha late Sunday, hours after strikes on the city and its port killed seven people and wounded 30 others, according to the Yemeni military. The Armed Forces Media Center reported that residential areas were targeted in the latest attacks, while air defenses managed to intercept several drones. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from these latest strikes.

According to Anadolu Agency, earlier on Sunday, Houthi strikes hit Mokha port and nearby residential areas, resulting in the deaths of four military personnel and three civilians and injuring 30 people, most of whom were civilians, as stated by Yemeni military spokesman Col. Majed al-Nuzayli. The military indicated that the strikes targeted civilian neighborhoods, homes, infrastructure, power generation facilities, and other civilian sites, in addition to military positions. The attacks were described as a 'clear violation of international humanitarian law.'

Government forces also intercepted and shot down 11 Houthi drones over the city involved in the attack, according to the Yemeni military. Al-Nuzayli mentioned that most of the wounded were discharged after receiving treatment and accused the Houthis of continuing to target civilians, civilian facilities, and infrastructure. He stated that the Yemeni armed forces would respond to such attacks and work to prevent further Houthi strikes while ensuring the protection of civilians.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the earlier attack, with military spokesman Yahya Saree stating that ballistic missiles and drones targeted Saudi military concentrations and weapons depots in the Mokha area. The latest escalation follows a series of Houthi attacks on Yemeni government positions in recent days, raising concerns about a renewed escalation in the country's conflict.

Mokha is situated near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The port is under the control of Yemeni government forces. The city's strategic importance is underscored by its proximity to one of the world's key maritime shipping routes.