Houthis Hit Aden Presidential Palace, Two Guards Killed
Ballistic missiles struck Yemen's al-Maashiq Palace in Aden, killing at least two security guards; Yemen's prime minister and cabinet escaped unhurt, the information minister confirmed.
ADEN, Yemen — Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles at Yemen’s al-Maashiq presidential palace in Aden on Thursday, killing at least two security guards, the country’s information minister confirmed. Yemen’s prime minister and other senior ministers were inside the palace at the time and escaped unharmed.
What We Know
The attack struck al-Maashiq Palace, the operational seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized, Saudi-backed government. BBC reported the death toll based on a direct statement from Yemen’s information minister. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government confirmed the attack through official channels.
The Times of Israel reported at least four killed across a broader wave of Houthi ballistic missile launches on Thursday. In addition to the Aden strike, the Jerusalem Post reported Houthi forces fired ballistic missiles at the city of Marib in Yemen’s interior on the same day.
Al-Maashiq Palace serves as the administrative center of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which has operated from Aden under Saudi protection after being displaced from the capital Sanaa by Houthi forces in 2015.
What We Don’t Know
The full extent of structural damage to al-Maashiq Palace has not been confirmed. Casualty figures vary across early reports, ranging from two to four dead, and the count remains developing. It is not yet confirmed whether the Houthis have formally claimed responsibility for this specific strike on the presidential compound. Whether the attack was targeted at Yemen’s leadership or was part of a broader saturation strike has not been established.
Context
Thursday’s attack on Aden follows a rapidly escalating pattern of Houthi offensive operations striking civilian and government infrastructure across the region. Earlier this week, Houthi forces struck multiple Saudi airports, killing 19 people and injuring 364 in what the Saudi-led coalition described as coordinated attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport. Full details: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Kill 19, Injure 364.
Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting a separate ballistic missile aimed at the holy city of Medina. Details: Saudi Arabia Thwarts Missile Strike on Medina.
Striking the presidential palace while Yemen’s prime minister and cabinet were present represents a step beyond infrastructure targeting. It puts Yemen’s rival government and its Saudi backers directly in the crosshairs at a moment when Houthi operations are spanning multiple countries simultaneously.
What to Watch
- Whether the Houthi movement formally claims the Aden palace strike and characterizes it as a targeted operation against Yemen’s leadership.
- How the Saudi-led coalition responds and whether retaliatory air operations inside Yemen intensify.
- Final casualty figures from both Aden and Marib, as early reports from active scenes frequently rise as damage assessments are completed.
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