Yemen: Shabwa camp death toll rises to 58 as Houthis deny targeting recruits

Three ballistic missiles struck al-Alam camp in the Jardan district of Shabwa province, southern Yemen, on Monday 19 October 2026, during a training exercise. The camp was being used as a training centre for recruits to Yemen's internal security forces and police.

Shabwa Governor Awad al-Wazir said 58 people were killed and more than 200 injured, with 14 others missing. Other tallies are lower. The Guardian reported at least 53 killed and more than 200 injured, mostly young recruits. Al Jazeera reported at least 53. The BBC reported more than 50 security personnel killed and 200 injured.

Officials and medical sources initially said at least 18 were killed and more than 30 wounded. The injured were taken to a hospital in Ataq, the local capital, where blood donations were requested.

A spokesman for the Saudi-backed Yemeni armed forces said the Houthis launched three ballistic missiles. The Houthis' military spokesman said they targeted "Saudi enemy concentrations."

Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, condemned a "criminal attack" and promised a "firm response."

It lands as fighting intensifies on several fronts: a Houthi push to besiege Taiz, and a government offensive launched at the start of October to retake Houthi-controlled territory in western Yemen, with air support from a Saudi-led coalition. The two sides have traded attacks since the Houthis advanced in September towards territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The government says a police and internal security training centre. The Houthis say Saudi concentrations.