Houthis Launch Missiles at Palace in Yemen, Killing Five in Attack on Saudi-Backed Government

Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched multiple missiles at a presidential palace compound in Aden, Yemen’s temporary capital, in an attack targeting the Saudi-supported government. At least five people, including two guards, were killed, according to reports citing Yemen’s Information Ministry. Senior officials of the internationally recognised administration reportedly escaped harm.

Following the attack, the Houthis described the target as the headquarters of Saudi military operations in Aden. Group spokesperson Yahya Saree said the strike was part of their strategy to target Saudi military expansion and reinforcements in Yemen.

At least five powerful explosions were heard near the presidential palace, while a large cloud of smoke rose above the area. The incident came amid an intensification of hostilities between the Houthis and the Saudi-led military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

The coalition said the Houthis had attempted to target several Saudi airports, ports and oil installations as the conflict escalated. Over the preceding week, the group had launched ballistic missiles and drones towards important Saudi locations in retaliation for Riyadh’s support for government forces fighting the rebels.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki claimed that the Houthis had launched 20 attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh during the month. He said the wider attacks had resulted in 17 deaths and 333 injuries. The coalition also reported that Houthi attacks near Abha airport, in southwestern Saudi Arabia close to the Yemeni border, had killed three people and injured 28.

Al-Maliki accused the Houthis of acquiring advanced military technology with assistance from regional actors. He said their arsenal included ballistic missiles, drones and explosive-laden speedboats. The coalition also claimed to have destroyed 127 weapons storage facilities and launch sites in Yemen’s mountainous regions.

The spokesperson urged the Houthis to immediately stop attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. In response, the group’s military spokesperson reiterated warnings to airlines, describing Saudi airports and airspace as dangerous. The warning excluded the airspace over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Yemen’s conflict began escalating in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa. Saudi Arabia intervened militarily the following year to support the internationally recognised government.

A United Nations-brokered truce in 2022 substantially reduced fighting, and an informal ceasefire continued after the agreement expired six months later. However, efforts to establish a lasting political settlement have faced renewed obstacles amid rising regional tensions and repeated accusations of attacks on civilian infrastructure.