Houthis launch missile strike on presidential palace in Yemen's Aden

Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a missile strike Thursday (local time) on the presidential palace in Aden, the southern city that serves as the temporary capital of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, amid an escalating civil war. The Houthis claimed the attack targeted a military operations center and arms depot inside the palace compound commanded by Saudi officers. According to Yemeni government officials and local police sources, multiple missiles struck the Al-Masheq presidential palace complex, which serves as the government's headquarters.

In a statement, the Houthis said they "carried out a missile strike targeting the war operations center and arms depot commanded by Saudi officers inside the Al-Masheq Palace in Aden."

Witnesses heard at least six explosions at the palace complex, according to the Associated Press.

A local security official said at least two of the blasts occurred at the top of a hill near the Al-Masheq palace, while two others were heard below a security gate on the road leading up to the compound.

An anonymous Yemeni cabinet minister confirmed to AFP that Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani was present at the scene during the attack but was unharmed. The minister said the Houthis fired three missiles at a Yemeni government forces command post and two at a Saudi-led coalition command post within the complex.

The strike caused multiple casualties and sent residents of the surrounding area fleeing in panic.

Health Minister Qassem Buhaibeh said five people were killed — including security personnel and civilian staff — and 16 others were wounded.

Saba News Agency, a Houthi-affiliated outlet, cited Yemeni government officials as saying a number of Saudi officials were killed or wounded.

Prime Minister al-Zindani condemned the attack on X, formerly Twitter, calling it "a cowardly act that is an extension of a criminal pattern of targeting civilian facilities and civilians."