Houthi Attack on Aden Presidential Palace Leaves 5 Dead, 16 Injured
Five dead and 16 injured after Houthi rebels target the al-Maashiq Presidential Palace in Aden, sparking a wave of retaliatory strikes.
In a violent escalation of hostilities, a Houthi attack Aden palace strike has left five people dead and 16 others injured. The target was the al-Maashiq Presidential Palace located in the southern Yemeni city of Aden. The casualties were confirmed by Yemen’s Health Minister, Qasim Mohammed Buhaibeh, as tensions between the Houthi movement and government forces reach a boiling point.
Houthis Claim Responsibility
Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the Houthi rebels, claimed responsibility for the bombing in a post on X. Saree framed the attack as a strategic move against what he termed the "Saudi enemy's war operations headquarters."
According to Saree, the strike is part of a broader strategy to target Saudi military mobilizations wherever they are found, asserting that any Saudi military presence is a "legitimate target" for Houthi forces.
Government Response and "Dawn of Yemen"
Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, described the assault as an extension of a series of strikes targeting oil facilities and airports across Yemen and Saudi Arabia. In response, al-Alimi has ordered government forces to implement necessary measures to safeguard state institutions and counter terrorist threats.
Al-Alimi further highlighted the "Dawn of Yemen" operation, launched earlier this month. He stated that the operation is moving toward its goal of restoring state authority across the national territory, with the ultimate aim of reaching the capital, Sanaa.
Cabinet Remains in Aden
Despite the attack on the palace, the Yemeni government has signaled its resolve. Minister of Youth Nayef Saleh al-Bakri confirmed that all cabinet ministers in Aden are safe and emphasized that the government will not abandon the city following the strike.
Massive Retaliation and Further Escalations
The Yemeni government has responded with overwhelming force. Spokesperson Majed al-Nuzaili reported that government forces carried out 1,250 attacks against Houthi positions within a single 24-hour window as part of the "Dawn of Yemen" campaign. These operations, which utilized drones, combat aircraft, rocket launchers, and artillery, reportedly destroyed 150 Houthi vehicles and demolished fortifications, specifically on the Taiz fronts.
Terror in Marib
The violence extended beyond Aden. The Marib Governorate Media Office reported that Houthi militia fired nine ballistic missiles and seven other projectiles at Marib city on Thursday evening. The office condemned these actions as a "flagrant violation of international laws," warning that targeting populated areas is a dangerous escalation that threatens civilian lives.
Regional Tension: Saudi Arabia Under Fire
The conflict has spilled further into Saudi territory. Houthi rebels claimed to have targeted the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in the Eastern Province, including the Ras Tanura refinery. Yahya Saree alleged that ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones caused fires and destruction at these sites, though these claims remain independently unverified.
The Houthis maintain that these operations are a response to "Saudi aggression" and have warned that airports and oil installations will continue to be viewed as legitimate targets.