Five Killed as Houthis Strike Yemen Presidential Palace in Aden
Houthi Strike Hits Presidential Palace
Houthi forces attacked the Al-Maashiq presidential compound in Aden using missiles and drones on Thursday. [1] The strike killed five people and wounded 16 others according to the Yemeni government. [1] The compound serves as the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia. [5] The attack targeted command centers located inside the presidential compound used by government forces and the Saudi-led military coalition. [5] Yemeni officials reported that security personnel and civilian staff were among those affected. [1] The Saudi-led coalition stated that the Houthis have attempted dozens of strikes on Saudi airports, ports, and oil facilities with ballistic missiles and drones in recent weeks. [1]
Houthi Claims and Justification
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the target was a Saudi military operations headquarters with a weapons depot. [1] Saree described the strike as part of a policy to target Saudi reinforcements anywhere they are located. [2] Houthi-run SABA news agency said the site was operated by Saudi officers and contained an arms depot. [1] These claims have not been independently verified. [1] The attack marks the first direct Houthi strike on the presidential palace in the current round of fighting. [2]
Government Officials Survive Attack
Yemeni officials confirmed that the prime minister and cabinet members survived the strike. [2] Minister of Information Moammar al-Eryani stated that the prime minister and cabinet members were unharmed. [2] Health Minister Qasim Buhaibeh reported that the five killed and 16 wounded included security personnel and civilian staff. [1] The Yemeni government described the attack as carried out with missiles and drones. [2]
Context of Renewed Fighting
Fighting between Houthi forces and Yemeni troops backed by Saudi Arabia resumed last month. [2] The war began in 2014 when Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and forced the government to retreat to the south. [2] A Saudi-led military intervention followed in the next year and produced a stalemate until a 2022 truce. [2] The current round of clashes follows the breakdown of that truce. [2] The Al-Maashiq compound functions as the center of the internationally recognized Yemeni government supported by Riyadh. [2]
Saudi Coalition Reports Houthi Attacks
The Saudi-led coalition reported that Houthi forces have repeatedly targeted Saudi airports, ports, and oil facilities using ballistic missiles and drones. [3] Coalition statements noted dozens of such attempts in recent weeks. [1] Saudi Arabia has blamed Iran for the recent escalation in the long-running war. [5] The coalition continues to support Yemeni government operations against Houthi-held areas. [5]
Witness Accounts of the Blasts
Witnesses told Reuters they heard loud explosions near the palace on Friday. [1] Eyewitness accounts described multiple blasts around the Al-Maashiq compound on Thursday and into Friday. [2] Smoke was visible rising from the presidential palace complex following the attack. [5]
What to watch next: The Saudi-led coalition has stated that Houthi forces continue launching ballistic missiles and drones toward Saudi airports, ports, and oil facilities, while Yemeni government forces have conducted operations to retake territory held by the Houthis.
