The key facts

  • Five ballistic missiles hit Al-Mashiq palace in Aden: 5 killed, 16 wounded, most of them security personnel
  • The Houthis said the target was the 'headquarters of Saudi military exercises'; Yemen's prime minister condemned the attack
  • Last week a missile hit Riyadh airport, killing 13 people — the deadliest strike on Saudi Arabia in more than 10 years

Strike on the presidential palace in Aden

The Houthis carried out a missile strike on the presidential palace in the port city of Aden in southern Yemen. According to reports, five people were killed and 16 more wounded in the attack; most of the victims were security personnel.

What is known about the target of the attack

According to Yemen's information minister Muammar al-Iryani, as relayed by the BBC, five ballistic missiles fell on Al-Mashiq palace, where the internationally recognized government is based. The prime minister and other government officials were not harmed. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the target of the strike was the 'headquarters of Saudi military exercises in Aden'. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition supports the Yemeni government and provides air support to government forces advancing on Houthi positions, who are backed by Iran.

The Yemeni government's reaction

Yemen's prime minister Shaya al-Zindani condemned the attack on Aden, calling it 'a continuation of criminal actions'. He stressed that the government continues to carry out its duties and that the attack will not weaken the resolve of government forces to continue military operations against the Houthis in the south-western areas of Yemen, on the Red Sea coast and on other sections of the front.

Context of the escalation

The Houthis launch missiles and drones at airports, oil and gas facilities and military bases in Saudi Arabia in response to strikes on areas under their control in western Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. On Thursday, the Riyadh-led coalition reported intercepting a cruise missile near Medina; the Houthis denied involvement in that attack. Last Saturday, a missile hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 13 people — the deadliest strike on Saudi Arabia in more than 10 years.

Accusations against Iran

Saudi Arabia's deputy foreign minister Rayid Krimli accused Iran of inciting the Houthis to escalate the conflict with the kingdom. 'Iran continues to arm, train and support Houthi structures in violation of UN Security Council resolutions,' he told journalists.