At least 53 people were killed and more than 200 others injured in a ballistic missile strike on a Yemeni training camp carried out by Houthi forces, marking the deadliest single attack since the nation’s civil war intensified. The assault targeted the al-Alam camp in Shabwa province in southern Yemen.

The attack took place as the Houthis have escalated their offensive operations in recent weeks, including efforts to advance along the Red Sea coast with the strategic aim of capturing the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint.

The government of Yemen, which is recognized by the United Nations as the country’s legitimate authority, condemned the strike and described the incident as a significant disaster. Officials announced that an investigation would be launched to determine how so many troops were vulnerable to the missile attack.

The conflict in Yemen, which reignited with new intensity in mid-September, has involved a complex struggle among multiple factions, including the Houthi movement, which controls large parts of the country, and forces loyal to the UN-backed government. The recent assault on government forces reflects ongoing volatility and the challenges in protecting military personnel amid continued hostilities.