Houthi rebels struck a Yemeni government military camp in southern Shabwa province, killing at least 53 people and wounding over 200. The attack marks the deadliest single incident since the civil war reignited in September.
The attack targeted a training camp for government security forces, where recruits were lined up in formation when ballistic missiles struck. The casualties include both military personnel and civilians, with many injured taken to hospitals in the region.
Yemen's UN-recognised government condemned the attack as a military escalation, calling for increased air defenses and vowing a strong response. The Houthis claimed the strike was a targeted assault on Saudi-backed forces, accusing them of mobilizing troops in vulnerable positions.
The attack highlights the risks of large military gatherings in areas near Houthi ballistic missile ranges. Both sides have accused each other of escalating tensions, with the Houthis claiming to have hit a Saudi-linked training center and the government accusing the rebels of targeting recruits in the preparation phase for frontline duties.