According to Reuters, the Yemeni government said that Houthi militants fired missiles at the presidential complex in the southern city of Aden on October 15, resulting in 5 deaths.
This is the first attack on the President's Palace of Mahik in Aden since the conflict between the Houthi armed forces and Saudi Arabia began. This is the headquarters of the Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia and recognized internationally.
Eyewitnesses told Reuters that they heard a huge explosion near the Presidential Palace in Aden. The Yemeni cabinet stated that missiles and drones were used in this attack.
Yemeni Health Minister Kasim Buhaybe said that the Houthi militia's attack on the government headquarters within the presidential complex resulted in 5 deaths and 16 injuries, including security guards and civilian staff.
Yemen's Information Minister Muammar Iliyani said that after the attack, Yemen's Prime Minister and Cabinet members were safe.
A Yemeni minister who wished to remain anonymous told AFP that the attack hit the command center within the presidential palace complex. These command centers are used by the Yemeni government forces and multinational coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia and supporting the government forces.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sareea said that the Houthi group attacked a Saudi military operations command in Aden. This operation is part of the organization's established policy, which states that "no matter where Saudi reinforcements are deployed, they should be targeted."
In 2014, the Houthi militia occupied Yemen’s capital Sanaa, forcing the government to move south to the port city of Aden. This led to the outbreak of civil war in Yemen. The following year, a multinational force led by Saudi Arabia intervened, and the conflict in Yemen entered a prolonged stalemate. In 2022, both sides reached a ceasefire agreement, which has remained in effect until July of this year.
In previous conflicts, the Houthi rebels and their allies briefly occupied the Mahik Palace during the battle for Aden, before withdrawing.
