CAIRO — Iranian-backed Houthi rebels struck a military camp for Yemeni government forces in southern Yemen on Monday, killing at least 20 soldiers, the Associated Press reported, citing two Yemeni military officials. The rebels fired ballistic missiles at the al-Alam military camp in Shabwa province.

The attack also wounded at least two dozen troops, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media. Reuters, citing sources, reported at least 18 killed in the attack on the camp in Shabwa — the toll is still being confirmed and reports differ.

AP described the strike as one of the deadliest in a recent surge of fighting that began months ago and has shattered the 2022 ceasefire deal in Yemen's civil war. The attack follows a weekend airstrike, blamed on Saudi-led forces, that killed at least nine people in Yemen's northern Saada province, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry.

AP said the Houthis have also been increasingly targeting Saudi airports and oil and military facilities.

Sources: Associated Press (AP), Reuters.