Two Killed in Houthi Missile Attack on Yemeni Presidential Palace

Two security personnel were killed and several others injured in a Houthi missile attack targeting the presidential palace in Aden, Yemen's southern port city and seat of the internationally recognized government. Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani confirmed that the prime minister and other ministers were unharmed when five ballistic missiles struck al-Maashiq Palace.

The Houthis' military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, stated that the group had targeted "the Saudi enemy's military operations headquarters in Aden." The Saudi-led coalition supports the Yemeni government against the Iran-backed Houthis.

Yemeni Prime Minister Shaya Zindani condemned the attack as "cowardly" and a "continuation of their criminal behaviour." He asserted that the government would continue its duties and operations against the Houthis.

The attack occurred as tensions remain high. Earlier, the coalition announced its forces intercepted a cruise missile in the Medina region of Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have been conducting missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, including airports and military bases, in retaliation for strikes on territory they control in western Yemen.

Last Saturday, a Houthi missile strike killed 13 people at Riyadh's international airport. Saudi Arabia's deputy foreign minister accused Iran of encouraging these escalations, stating that Iran continues to arm and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Iran has previously denied supplying weapons to the Houthis, claiming only political support and offering to facilitate talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, escalating in 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition intervened. An informal ceasefire that began to unravel in July saw the Houthis announce a "maritime embargo" against Saudi Arabia and launch attacks on its airports and oil facilities. The Houthis cited a Saudi blockade of their territory and an air strike on Sanaa airport as reasons for their actions.

The conflict intensified in September when the Houthis seized territory near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial chokepoint for global shipping. Pro-government forces, with Saudi air support, reported regaining control of territory overlooking the strait last week.

Since August 6, the fighting in Yemen has resulted in at least 1,282 deaths and 5,890 injuries, according to the government's health ministry. The UN reports that 201,000 people have been displaced and there has been a significant increase in suspected cholera cases.