Officials: At least 22 dead, more missing after fleeing boat struck off Yemen

Shells struck a boat carrying people trying to flee the Yemeni city of Aden on Wednesday, killing at least 22 and leaving dozens more missing, two Yemeni officials said.

The officials — who aren’t aligned with Houthi rebels or President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi — warn that the death toll from this incident will likely rise, given all those not accounted for. It was not immediately clear who fired the shells that hit the boat.

Hundreds have been fleeing violence in the southern Yemeni city. Houthis there have been battling forces loyal to Hadi and fending off Saudi Arabian-led airstrikes.

The Saudis say they want to restore the Yemeni government, which the Houthis overthrew earlier this year.

The fighting has exacerbated the difficult humanitarian situation in the Arab nation, with many citizens caught in the crossfire.

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