Five dead as missiles and drones hit Yemeni presidential palace; Houthis claim attack
Deadly strike in Aden
Yemen’s cabinet said the attack involved missiles and drones. Witnesses reported hearing loud booms near the complex. Information minister Moammar al-Eryani said the prime minister and cabinet members were safe.
Competing accounts of target
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had bombed what he described as the Saudi military operations headquarters in Aden. He said the strike was part of efforts to target “Saudi reinforcements.” The Houthi-run news agency SABA said Saudi officers operated from the compound and that it housed weapons depots. The Independent said it could not verify those claims.
Aden’s history of fighting
Houthi fighters and their allies briefly seized al-Maashiq palace during fighting for Aden after Yemen’s civil war began in 2014. A Saudi-led military intervention followed the next year, leading to a bloody stalemate. A truce reached in 2022 held until this year.
Key points
- Authorities said five people died and 16 were injured in the Aden strike.
- Yemen’s prime minister and cabinet members were reported safe.
- The Houthis described their target as a Saudi military operations headquarters; the claims about the site could not be verified.
- Government forces began a campaign to retake Houthi-controlled areas last week.