Houthi missiles strike Aden presidential palace, killing five

Houthi forces struck the al-Maashiq presidential palace complex in Aden on 15 October 2026 with missiles and drones, killing five people and wounding at least 16, according to Yemeni health officials. The palace serves as the headquarters of the internationally recognised, Saudi-backed government.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the Houthis fired five missiles at the complex. Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani and other cabinet members present were unharmed, though members of the prime minister's security detail were among the dead. Health Minister Qasim Buhaibeh confirmed the casualty figures, noting that victims included guards and civilian employees.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group targeted a Saudi military operations headquarters inside the complex. The Houthi-run Saba agency said the site was run by Saudi officers and contained weapons depots. The Saudi-led coalition has listed multiple Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure in recent weeks.

The strike is the first on the Aden palace in the current round of fighting. Aden has been the seat of the recognised government since the Houthis took Sanaa in 2014-15. The attack comes amid renewed ground operations by pro-government forces on the Red Sea coast and elsewhere.

Yemeni Prime Minister al-Zindani called the attack cowardly and said the government would continue operations against the Houthis. The Cabinet stated that the assault would not halt its work. Videos circulating online showed smoke rising from the area of the palace.

The incident is part of the wider regional conflict that intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier in 2026. The Houthis have described attacks on Saudi positions as legitimate targets under their declared policy.

No independent confirmation of the precise number of missiles or the presence of a Saudi command centre has been released by neutral observers. Casualty figures have been consistent across government statements at five dead and 16 wounded.