Aden (South24 Center) 

A Houthi artillery bombardment on Tuesday (May 27) targeted civilian homes in Al-Qarin area of Al-Musaimir district in northern Lahj Governorate, killing one woman and injuring seven others including four women and an eight-month-old infant, according to Deraalganoob (Southern Shield), the media outlet of the Southern Forces.

The website reported that the attack directly hit residential areas, resulting in civilian casualties, continuing a pattern of Houthi attacks that have previously targeted the same region. 

It added that "this shelling is part of ongoing attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia against civilian populations, in clear violation of international laws and conventions that prohibit targeting civilians”.

The Houthi group did not immediately comment on the incident.

The attack comes amid escalating military operations by the militia against Southern Forces on multiple fronts in Lahj and Dhalea governorates. 

On Saturday (May 24), the Jabal sector in northwestern Dhalea witnessed clashes involving artillery exchanges between Southern Forces and the Houthi militia.

Field sources reported that the Houthis launched several Katyusha rockets toward forward positions, while Southern Forces responded with precision to the militia positions north of Sabira town, inflicting direct casualties.

The Deraalganoob (Southern Shield) outlet also noted that the Houthis have sent new combat reinforcements to southern areas of Damt city between Dhalea and Ibb, and established new checkpoints on the main road.

The move comes days after Southern authorities in Dhalea Governorate announced the opening of the Aden-Dhalea-Sanaa road, which had been closed for years, for humanitarian reasons.

In a security development, Security Belt Forces announced on Wednesday (May 28) the foiling of a weapons smuggling attempt, with the discovery of a shipment of weapons carefully hidden inside a civilian vehicle at Al-Alam checkpoint east of Aden.

According to Deraalganoob (Southern Shield) outlet, the checkpoint personnel became suspicious of a 'Hiace' bus that was driven by a man in his forties. A thorough search of the vehicle revealed 30 RPG rounds and twelve 82mm mortar shells with their charges.

The Security Belt Forces said the suspect was transferred with the confiscated weapons to the authorities for legal action, noting that this operation is part of ongoing efforts to secure Aden's main land entrances.