Houthi Missiles Strike Aden Presidential Palace Complex
Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack on the presidential palace complex in Aden on Oct. 15, 2026.
At least six explosions struck near Al-Maashiq palace, the hilltop compound used by Yemen's internationally recognized government. A security official said at least two blasts were on top of the hill near the palace and two others were near the security gate. An Associated Press journalist heard explosions near the palace around 2 a.m. The Guardian
Yemen's government said, as reported by the Aden-based Saba news agency, that the Houthis attacked the palace with missiles and drones. A government minister said the strike hit a command center for the Saudi-led coalition, a group of countries backing the government, inside the complex. A Yemeni official said that command center was hit by three missiles and the coalition forces headquarters at the complex by two missiles, causing Yemeni and Saudi casualties.
Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani was present at the palace during the attack but was not harmed. Early casualty reports varied. An official told the Associated Press that at least two people were killed and six wounded, while Yemeni government military sources told AFP that at least four people were killed and 10 wounded. France 24 reported at least five people killed and 16 wounded, and Reuters reported two security guards killed.
The Houthis said they attacked a military operations headquarters with the Saudi enemy. The Oct. 15 attack was the first on the Aden presidential complex since Yemen's civil war flared back to life in July.
The fighting extended beyond Aden on Oct. 15. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a cruise missile over Medina province. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree denied the Houthis carried out that missile attack. Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a drone over its eastern province and intercepted a drone in Khamis Mushait near a major military airbase. Flightradar24 said dozens of flights were canceled or delayed at Jeddah's airport that day.
The palace strike followed other escalation in October. Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport killed three Saudis, according to an Oct. 9 report. Yemen's ministry said the Houthis struck Aden airport as a flight was due to land, according to an Oct. 7 report. Yemen carried out 20 strikes on Houthi targets in Taiz province, according to a spokesperson cited in an Oct. 1 report.
