New Delhi: Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a massive attack on Saudi-backed government forces. The death toll in this attack has increased to 53. Earlier there was news of 18 people being killed, but now the figure has increased to more than three times. According to Reuters, four government and medical sources said that Houthi rebels targeted a Yemeni government military training camp in Shabwa province on Monday morning. During this time, three ballistic missiles were fired at the soldiers who were training, in which at least 53 soldiers were killed.
War intensifies, attacks on many fronts
Yemen’s internationally recognized government is backed by a Saudi-led coalition, while the Houthis control the capital Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen. The fighting between the two sides has intensified in the last few weeks. It is seen as part of a broader regional conflict that has flared up following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February.
Houthis have carried out attacks not only in Yemen but also in Saudi Arabia. On Sunday, a projectile from the Houthi group fell in a residential area of Najran city of Saudi Arabia, injuring 6 civilians. Three houses and three vehicles were also damaged. Civil Defense said that targeting civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law and definite action is being taken. The administration had issued an alert on Sunday afternoon, which was later lifted when the danger passed.
Missiles also on Aden and Riyadh
This is considered to be one of the biggest attacks by Houthi rebels. Earlier on October 15-16, the Houthis had fired five ballistic missiles at the presidential palace Al-Mashiq Palace in Aden, killing 5 people and injuring 16. The Prime Minister was saved safely. The next day, two missiles hit Aden International Airport, although there were no casualties.
At the same time, about 17 people were killed in several attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport in Saudi Arabia, after which the airport had to be closed. Saudi Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran was also attacked. The Saudi coalition is continuously intercepting missiles and drones and also taking retaliatory action.