At least 53 people were killed and over 200 injured in a missile strike by Yemen’s Houthi militia on a military training camp in the southern province of Shabwa, local officials reported Tuesday. The attack is among the deadliest targeting government forces since an escalation of fighting in Yemen began in September.

An army spokesperson stated that the Houthis launched three missiles at the camp, which was used for training newly recruited security personnel. Local authorities condemned the attack, describing it as a “treacherous and bloody” assault. The casualty figures have not been independently confirmed.

The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attack on Monday, asserting that its target was Saudi troops stationed in the area. The militia also accused Saudi Arabia of conducting more than 200 air and missile strikes on Yemen’s capital Sana’a and other provinces over the past 48 hours, part of more than 2,700 strikes carried out since the recent wave of hostilities began.

Saudi Arabia leads a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The coalition has intensified operations to counter Houthi advances, with the rebels simultaneously stepping up cross-border attacks against the kingdom.

On Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had intercepted another missile launched toward Riyadh, highlighting the ongoing tension and military activity between the two sides. The conflict continues to contribute to widespread instability and humanitarian challenges across Yemen.