At least 18 people were killed and more than 30 others wounded in a missile attack on a military camp in southern Yemen, authorities said on Monday.
The Houthis launched three ballistic missiles at the al-Alam military camp in the Shabwa governorate. A spokesperson for Yemeni government forces stated the strike took place during a training exercise.
Officials in the internationally recognised government and medical sources confirmed the casualty figures. The deputy governor of Shabwa reported at least 40 total casualties, though he did not provide a specific breakdown between the dead and injured.
The attack happened as fighting persisted across the country. The civil war has escalated sharply since the Houthis seized strategic territory from government forces along the Red Sea coast.
Government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, responded to those territorial losses with a counteroffensive. They launched the Dawn of Yemen operation to recapture Houthi-held territory, including Sanaa, which the Iran-aligned group seized in 2014.
Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, said the victims were new recruits. He promised a firm response to the escalation.
Targeting recruits reflects the Houthi militia’s approach of resorting to terrorist attacks when under pressure, al-Alimi stated.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike. They stated the attack targeted what they described as a Saudi-backed military base, referring to government forces stationed across the country.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned that the group will continue targeting such locations. He stated that anywhere with a Saudi-backed military presence is considered a legitimate target.
Earlier, Yemeni government forces reported targeting Houthi gatherings, vehicles, and weapons in al-Aqroudh, al-Shaqab, and al-Sarari, south of Taiz. That region is currently enduring severe fuel shortages and soaring prices.
