September 2015 Marib Tochka missile attack explained

Conflict:Marib Tochka missile attack
Partof:the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) and the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Date:4 September 2015
Place:Safer, Marib Governorate, Yemen
Result:Houthi victory
Combatant1: Yemen (Supreme Revolutionary Committee)
Combatant2: Yemen (Hadi-led government)
Supported by:
Casualties1:None
Casualties2: unknown pro-Hadi soldiers killed
52 soldiers killed
10 soldiers killed
5 soldiers killed[2] [3]

On 4 September 2015, the Houthis launched an OTR-21 Tochka ballistic missile against a military base in Safer, an area in Marib Governorate.[4] [5] The base was being used by military forces of the Saudi-led coalition. The missile hit an ammunition dump, creating a huge explosion which inflicted numerous casualties among coalition troops. 52 Emirati, ten Saudi, five Bahraini soldiers and dozens of pro-Hadi Yemeni troops were killed in the attack.

Aftermath

UAEAF F16F Block 60 conducted several airstrikes on Ma'rib, Sanaa, and Sa'dah in retaliation for the attack, which was described as "the heaviest airstrikes Sanaa endured". The UAEAF also bombed the position from which the missile was believed to have been fired.[6]

The United Arab Emirates declared a three-day period of mourning with the UAE flag flying at half-mast in honor of the soldiers killed in Yemen,[7] the deadliest episode in UAE army history. The UAE leaders, including sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the sheikhs of the Federal Supreme Council, visited the family homes of each of the fallen soldiers and offered their condolences.[8]

United States Secretary of State John Kerry offered his condolences to the UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the death of the Emirati soldiers.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: al-Shamahi . Abubakr . UAE mourns losses in Yemen. The New Arab. 14 September 2015. 20 January 2020.
  2. Web site: Yemen crisis: UAE launches fresh Yemen attacks. BBC News. 5 September 2015. 20 January 2020.
  3. Web site: Saudi-led coalition strikes back after deadly Houthi attack. Gray . Melissa. 5 September 2015. CNN. 20 January 2020.
  4. Web site: Fahim. Kareem . Houthi Rebels Kill 45 U.A.E. Soldiers in Yemen Fighting. The New York Times. 4 September 2015. 20 January 2020.
  5. News: Kalfood. Mohammed Ali. The Marib offensive, three weeks in. Yemen Peace Project. 28 September 2015. 20 September 2018.
  6. News: UAE forces bomb Yemen rebels after coalition troop deaths. Agence France-Presse. The Guardian . 5 September 2015. 20 January 2020.
  7. Web site: Last of Emirati soldiers who fell defending Yemen arrive back home. The National. 12 September 2015. 20 January 2020.
  8. Web site: UAE leaders pay tribute to Emirati soldiers killed in Yemen. The National. 13 September 2015. 20 January 2020.