Houthi attack targets Yemen government palace area in Aden

Houthi forces launched a missile and drone attack on Thursday near the al-Maashiq presidential palace in Aden, the interim seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the palace was targeted with five missiles and that the prime minister and other government members were safe. Witnesses reported several explosions and smoke around the complex. The government initially said two members of the prime minister’s security detail were killed, while a later official account reported by France 24 put the toll at five dead and 16 wounded. The extent of damage to the palace remained unclear.

Houthi-affiliated media said the attack targeted a military operations headquarters led by Saudi officers and weapons depots at the palace. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described Saudi military personnel and facilities in Yemen as legitimate targets.

The strike was a rare attack on Aden, which has served as the government’s base since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. It came amid renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces, including clashes in Taiz province.

The attack followed Saudi-led coalition strikes on fuel and energy facilities in Houthi-controlled areas of Sanaa, Saada and Dhamar. The coalition said those sites supported Houthi missile and drone operations, while the Houthis denied that the Sanaa oil facility had military value and threatened retaliation against Saudi airports, refineries and oil installations.