Yemen's Houthis fired missiles at the presidential palace complex in the southern city of Aden on Thursday, killing two security guards, two government officials told Reuters.
Yemen's Prime Minister and cabinet members, who were present at the Maashiq presidential palace complex, were unharmed, according to Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani. He added that the Houthis had fired five missiles at the complex, in a major escalation of the country's long-running civil war.
In contrast, the Houthi-run Saba news agency, citing a military official, claimed the group had targeted a military operations headquarters run by Saudi officers at the complex, as well as weapons depots. The Iran-aligned group's military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated the strike was part of their declared policy of "targeting Saudi military build-ups wherever they are." These claims could not be independently verified.
The attack underscores the Houthis' strategy of targeting interests linked to Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen's internationally recognized government.
Three witnesses told Reuters they heard loud explosions in the vicinity of the palace, causing panic among local residents. The city of Aden serves as the temporary capital for the Yemeni government.
This attack comes at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen face significant challenges. The conflict has plunged the country into a devastating humanitarian crisis, with millions in need of urgent aid. The latest assault could further undermine attempts to reach a peaceful resolution.
Source: Reuters
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