Houthi missile strike on Yemen military camp kills at least 53

A missile barrage launched by the Iran‑backed Houthi movement on Monday hit the al‑Alam military camp in Yemen’s Shabwa governorate, killing at least 53 people and wounding around 200, according to local officials. The attack, which took place while new security recruits were undergoing a training exercise, involved three ballistic missiles that struck the facility.

Initial reports from the internationally recognised government and medical sources said 18 people had died and more than 30 were injured. The death toll rose sharply later in the day when Shabwa authorities updated the figures to 53 fatalities and 200 injuries.

The strike occurred amid renewed fighting across Yemen. A truce that had held since 2022 began to crumble after the regional fallout from the 2024 US‑Israel war heightened tensions with Iran. Last month the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, captured strategic positions along the Red Sea coast, prompting a Saudi‑backed counteroffensive and the launch of the “Dawn of Yemen” operation aimed at retaking Houthi‑held areas, including the capital Sanaa, which the group seized in 2014.

The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting Riyadh’s international airport and the state oil company Aramco. Saudi authorities warned residents of the capital of a “hostile aerial threat” on the same day as the Shabwa strike.

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al‑Alimi said the victims were new recruits and pledged a “firm response” to the attack. “Targeting recruits reflects the Houthi militia’s approach of resorting to terrorist attacks when under pressure,” he said.

Houthi officials claimed responsibility, describing the target as a “Saudi‑backed” military base. Spokesperson Yahya Saree said any location with a Saudi‑backed military presence would be considered a legitimate target. Earlier, Yemeni government forces reported strikes against Houthi gatherings, vehicles and weapons in al‑Aqroudh, al‑Shaqab and al‑Sarari, areas south of Taiz that are currently facing fuel shortages and soaring prices.