Missile Attack on Yemen’s Presidential Palace
The Iran-backed Houthi insurgents in Yemen, recently in the spotlight for attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, executed a missile strike Thursday targeting the presidential palace located in Aden, the base of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
According to Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani, the Al-Maashiq Palace was struck by five ballistic missiles, resulting in five fatalities and 16 injuries. Eryani labeled the strike a “terrorist” act, although it was reported that Prime Minister Shasya al-Zindani and his cabinet were unharmed.
In a social media post, Zindani criticized the Houthi attack, describing it as a brutal assault on civilians and a deliberate effort to destabilize state institutions. He emphasized the government’s commitment to reestablish state authority, end the Houthi uprising, and regain control throughout Yemen, asserting that such attacks would not deter their efforts.
Health Minister Qasim Buhaibeh stated that the casualties included “guards and civilian employees” of the palace, with reports indicating that two of the deceased were prime minister’s bodyguards.
Al Jazeera News characterized the assault as a sign of escalating tensions that could potentially lead to an “all-out civil war” between the Yemeni government and the Houthis.
The Yemeni government, operating as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), was ousted from Sanaa following the Houthis’ capture in 2014. Since 2015, Aden has served as the governmental seat, although many functions are carried out from Riyadh.
Throughout its history, Al-Maashiq Palace has undergone various transformations, previously serving as a royal residence, a venue for the Democratic Republic of Yemen after the monarchy’s fall, and currently as the headquarters for the ousted national government. It suffered damage at the onset of the Houthi insurgency, was renovated in 2015, and is now considered a high-security zone protected by military forces.
Additionally, the Yemeni government reported that the Houthis launched “several ballistic missiles” targeting the central oil-rich city of Marib.
Houthi state media claimed that the missile strike on the palace was aimed at a “military operations base” housing Saudi officers. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree mentioned that this attack was part of their strategy to “target Saudi reinforcements wherever they are.”
A Yemeni government minister told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the palace compound in Aden houses command centers for both Yemeni and Saudi coalition forces, both of which were affected by the missile strike, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Reports from AFP suggested that Prime Minister Zindani was present during the attack but remained unharmed.
During a virtual conference on Thursday, Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr. Rayed Krimly asserted that Iran “continues to arm, train, and support the Houthi militia in violation of U.N. security council resolutions.” He expressed concerns that recent Houthi aggression could be encouraged by Iran.
Krimly noted that the Houthis declined an invitation to negotiate in Oman aimed at de-escalating the conflict, raising doubts about Saudi Arabia’s recent rapprochement with Tehran, facilitated by China earlier this year.
In a separate press briefing, Saudi coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki revealed that the Houthis had launched over 1,000 ballistic missiles and 1,100 drones at Saudi Arabia since March 2016. He stated the Houthis were the first insurgent group globally to acquire advanced weapons like ballistic missiles and explosive drones, crediting “regional parties,” generally understood to be Iran, for their support.
Maliki expressed that the Houthis’ actions endanger numerous civilian lives by targeting airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
“These violent terrorist attacks, especially during peak times, not only endanger the Kingdom’s airports but also threaten the safety of travelers, including pilgrims from around the world,” he highlighted.
He added that in retaliation, the Saudi coalition conducted airstrikes on Thursday targeting 127 mountain storage facilities and launch platforms utilized by the Houthis.
Maliki reiterated the coalition’s commitment to supporting Yemen’s legitimate government and forces, providing constant air support to ground units.
“Ultimately, the terrorist Houthi militia must halt its assaults against civilians in Saudi Arabia. They should carefully consider the coalition’s statements and read between the lines,” he cautioned.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba warned of a humanitarian crisis in the besieged southwestern city of Taiz, urging the Houthi group to permit the entry of essential supplies like food, water, medicine, and fuel.
