A Houthi missile attack targeting Yemen’s presidential palace compound in Aden killed five people and injured 16 others on Thursday, according to Yemeni Health Minister Qasim Buhaibeh.
The missiles struck military command centres within the Al-Maashiq palace compound, which is used by Yemeni government forces and the Saudi-led military coalition supporting them, according to reports cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The attack represents a further escalation in Yemen’s prolonged civil war, which has intensified following the breakdown of a truce and the resumption of Houthi offensives.
Buhaibeh said those killed and injured included personnel guarding the compound and civilian employees. A Yemeni government minister told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani was at the palace when the attack occurred but escaped unharmed.
According to the minister, three missiles struck a command centre used by Yemeni government forces, while two targeted a separate command centre operated by Saudi-led coalition forces. The minister also reported casualties among Yemeni and Saudi personnel but did not provide a detailed breakdown.
Houthi-affiliated media said the group had targeted the military operations headquarters at Al-Maashiq Palace, claiming it was led by Saudi officers. The reports also alleged that coalition weapons depots had been targeted.
Yemeni Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani condemned the attack in a post on X, describing it as a “cowardly” act and accusing the Houthis of continuing to target civilian locations and civilians.
The Yemeni Cabinet said the strike would not deter government forces from their efforts to defeat the Houthis, whom authorities accuse of seizing power through a coup. It also reiterated that Aden would remain Yemen’s de facto capital.
The Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and subsequently gained control of large areas of the country. Their advance prompted Saudi Arabia to lead a military coalition in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government in 2015.
Despite years of Saudi-led airstrikes and a truce that took effect in 2022, the conflict has continued, with fighting intensifying following the breakdown of the ceasefire.
The latest attack comes amid reports of increased Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, Houthi attacks on Saudi airports reportedly killed at least 19 people, most of them in Riyadh.
Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said during a televised briefing that the Houthis had targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh 20 times during October.
Al-Maliki said Saudi Arabia would continue providing air support to Yemeni government forces conducting ground operations against the Houthis.
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