In brief
Five ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi movement hit the presidential palace in Aden, killing two security guards and wounding others. The attack, which the Houthis said targeted "the Saudi enemy’s military operations headquarters in Aden", was rebuffed by the internationally‑recognised Yemeni government led by Prime Minister Shaya Zindani. Meanwhile, Saudi‑led coalition forces have intensified air strikes on Houthi positions, raising concerns about regional security and global shipping routes. Iran has been accused of arming the rebels, a claim it denies, while the United Nations reports further displacement and health crises amid the prolonged conflict.
Two security personnel were killed when five ballistic missiles struck the presidential palace in Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally‑recognised government, a minister of information confirmed.
The attack, described by the Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea as a strike on "the Saudi enemy’s military operations headquarters in Aden", did not hit the prime minister – who was reportedly unharmed – but wounded several other officials.
Saudi Arabia‑led coalition forces, backing the Yemeni government, have been conducting air strikes against Houthi positions in the south‑western Red Sea region. The government’s prime minister, Shaya Zindani, called the bombing "cowardly" and vowed to continue military operations against the rebels.
The wider conflict, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa, has drawn in regional powers. Iran has been accused by Saudi officials of arming the Houthis, a claim it denies. The United Nations reports that the war has displaced over 200,000 people and heightened health crises, including a surge in cholera cases.
With the Houthis now targeting Saudi air and oil infrastructure, the escalation threatens regional security and global shipping routes that pass through the Bab al‑Mandab Strait. Analysts warn that further attacks could destabilise energy markets.
Reaction to the assault includes calls for renewed diplomatic talks, with Iran’s foreign minister signalling willingness to support talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement.
