Houthis strike Aden palace as Yemen conflict intensifies
Houthi forces fired multiple missiles at Al-Maashiq Palace in Aden, Yemen's southern port city and seat of the internationally recognised government, killing five people and wounding sixteen on Thursday. Though senior officials escaped harm, the strike marked an escalation in the civil war and raised fears of broader regional conflict. Hours later, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a cruise missile near Medina, though the Houthis denied responsibility.
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Yemen's conflict entered a more intense phase on Thursday when Houthi forces launched at least five missiles at Al-Maashiq Palace in Aden, the official headquarters of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council and residence of President Rashad al-Alimi. According to Yemen's health minister, five people were killed and sixteen injured in the strike. The information minister confirmed that the prime minister and other senior officials escaped unharmed, though two bodyguards were killed. Correspondents described the attack as the first direct strike against the seat of the internationally recognised government, warning that it signalled a likely intensification of the broader conflict. Concerns are growing about the possibility of an all-out civil war that could involve regional powers. The attack coincided with intensified fighting around Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, which Houthi forces effectively besiege. Separately, Saudi Arabia announced that its air defences had intercepted a cruise missile targeting the area near Medina, one of Islam's two holiest cities. This came hours after Riyadh accused Tehran of encouraging tensions between the Houthis and Yemeni government. The Houthis denied launching any missile at Medina and called the Saudi claim unfounded, though they reiterated an earlier pledge to avoid attacking Mecca and Medina while vowing to continue strikes on Saudi airports and other facilities. The escalation follows recent Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, including an attack on Riyadh's international airport, and Saudi-led retaliatory operations against Houthi positions. The widening confrontation threatens to destabilise the region further and concerns Western governments about shipping lanes and oil infrastructure security.
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