At least six explosions occurred on Thursday near the Al-Maashiq palace in the port city of Aden, a site currently used by Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The attack, which involved both missiles and drones, marks the first strike on the complex since the nation's civil war intensified in July. Witnesses reported seeing smoke rising from the area as the explosions echoed through the city.
Reports regarding the human toll vary. An official speaking to the Associated Press stated that at least two people were killed and six were wounded. Meanwhile, government military sources cited by Agence-France Press (AFP) reported that at least four people died and 10 others sustained injuries. A government minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a Houthi missile attack hit a command center for the Saudi-led coalition. The official noted that three missiles struck the command center, while two missiles targeted the headquarters of the coalition forces within the presidential complex, resulting in both Yemeni and Saudi casualties, though a specific toll was not provided.
Despite the proximity of the explosions to the seat of government, a minister stated that Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani was present at the palace during the attack but remained unharmed. It remains unconfirmed whether the prime minister was in the palace at the exact time of the strike, though a government official noted that many government leaders living in exile are safe in Aden.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels, based in northern Yemen, quickly claimed responsibility for the operation. The group stated they targeted a military operations headquarters associated with the "Saudi enemy." This strike is part of a broader Houthi strategy that has included repeated attacks on oil infrastructure and airports within Saudi Arabia, complicating regional efforts to resolve the Iran-related conflict and impacting global markets.
Regional aviation has also faced significant disruptions as the rebels have issued warnings regarding the use of Saudi airspace. In a separate incident on Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting a cruise missile over the Medina province, though the Houthis' military spokesperson, Brig Gen Yahya Saree, denied responsibility for that specific event. Further Saudi reports indicated a drone was destroyed over the country's eastern province and another was intercepted near an airbase in Khamis Mushait. These events follow earlier reports this week of damage to Saudi Aramco headquarters caused by Houthi attacks. Meanwhile, inside Yemen, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with the city of Taiz facing severe shortages of basic necessities amid the ongoing conflict.
Earlier on Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it intercepted a cruise missile over the province of Medina. Flightradar24, a tracking platform, said dozens of flights were canceled or delayed at Jeddah’s airport.
