Houthi missiles strike near Yemen’s presidential palace in Aden
Yemen’s Houthis fired five missiles at the area around the al-Maashiq presidential palace in Aden, killing two bodyguards, according to the internationally recognised government. The prime minister and other officials were unharmed. Smoke rose near the palace, which serves as the headquarters of the Saudi-backed administration in the southern port city.
The strike was described as the Houthis’ first attack of its kind on the government’s seat of power and raised fears of a broader escalation. Fighting has also intensified in Taiz, where Saudi-backed forces said they were repelling a Houthi assault on Dhubab airport. Control of the city and its wider governorate is strategically important because of its proximity to the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Aid agencies warn that the violence is pushing Taiz’s healthcare system towards collapse, while the health ministry has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis had attacked Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport at least 20 times in 11 days and had also targeted airports, oil facilities and ports. It attributed 17 deaths and more than 300 injuries to the attacks and accused the group of obtaining ballistic-missile components from other regional states. The Houthis are also known as Ansar Allah and control Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
Continue in the app — vote & join in ➔