Yemen’s Houthi rebels have targeted the al-Maashiq presidential palace in the southern port city of Aden with a series of missile strikes. The assault, which involved five projectiles, struck the vicinity of the palace, which serves as the primary headquarters and seat of power for the internationally recognised, Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The Information Minister, Moammar al-Eryani, confirmed the attack via social media on Thursday.
Authorities have reported that while the prime minister and other key government officials remained safe during the incident, two of the prime minister’s bodyguards were killed. Witnesses and media reports described plumes of smoke rising from the area surrounding the palace shortly after explosions were heard in the city. This event marks the first time the Houthis have directly targeted this specific seat of government, signalling a major shift in the tactical scope of the ongoing conflict.
The strike in Aden occurs against a backdrop of intensifying violence in Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, which remains under a long-standing Houthi siege. Control over Taiz and the surrounding governorate is considered strategically vital due to its proximity to the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint. Government-allied units, including the Homeland Shield Force and the Southern Giants Brigades, reported they are currently repelling Houthi efforts to seize the airport in the coastal city of Dhubab.
The humanitarian situation in the region continues to deteriorate, with aid organisations warning that the local healthcare infrastructure is nearing a complete collapse. Earlier on Sunday, the Ministry of Public Health issued a dire alert regarding a potential humanitarian catastrophe in Taiz. Observers suggest that the latest military manoeuvres reflect a broader, more aggressive phase in the war, raising significant fears that the country may be sliding toward an all-out civil war that could draw in further regional powers.
Simultaneously, the Saudi-led coalition has reported a surge in Houthi activity targeting Saudi Arabian territory. Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the coalition spokesperson, stated that Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has been the target of at least 20 Houthi attacks over the past 11 days. The coalition claims that these assaults, which have also targeted other ports, oil facilities, and airports, have resulted in 17 fatalities and over 300 injuries.
During a press conference in Riyadh, Major-General al-Maliki released footage of strikes on the Saudi airport and accused the Houthi group—also known as Ansar Allah—of acquiring ballistic missile components from other regional states. The coalition maintains that these continued attacks on civilian infrastructure are a deliberate effort to destabilise the region.
Analysts note that both sides are currently facing challenges in terms of public and international perception. While the Saudi-led coalition is struggling to address concerns regarding the effectiveness of its military deterrence, the Houthis face mounting global criticism over the targeting of civilian areas. As military engagement continues to escalate across multiple fronts, the prospect for a diplomatic resolution remains increasingly distant, leaving both local populations and international observers deeply concerned about the future of the conflict.
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