At least two to four people were killed and several others wounded on Thursday following multiple explosions near the presidential palace in Aden, Yemen’s interim capital, according to various reports. The attacks targeted the Al-Maashiq palace, which serves as the headquarters of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

Eyewitnesses in the southern port city reported hearing blasts and seeing smoke rising from the site. Government officials and security sources confirmed the palace was struck by missiles and drones. The Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, attributed the attack to the Iran-backed Houthi movement based in northern Yemen.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strikes, stating they had targeted the government’s military headquarters, which they described as “the headquarters of military operations led by Saudi officers,” as well as weapons depots within the palace complex. The group also announced it launched several ballistic missiles at Marib, a central city considered strategic due to its oil resources.

Casualty figures vary slightly between sources. While one official cited at least two fatalities and six wounded, others reported four killed and ten injured. The discrepancy highlights the difficulty in verifying precise numbers amid the ongoing conflict.

The attack represents a rare assault directly on the center of Yemen’s internationally recognized government in Aden. It comes amid an escalation of hostilities following the collapse of a truce in July, which sparked a renewed offensive by the Houthis. The group has rapidly expanded its control over key territories along the Red Sea coast and continues to wield significant influence in the capital, Sanaa.

Since 2015, Yemen has been engulfed in a multifaceted civil war pitting the Houthi rebels against the government, which receives military support from a coalition led by Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have intensified their use of missiles and drones—not only targeting Yemeni government forces but also striking within Saudi territory. Despite ongoing Saudi-led airstrikes and ground operations designed to check Houthi advances, the group has maintained territorial gains in recent months.

The latest strikes on the palace underscore the fragile security situation in southern Yemen and reflect the broader regional dynamics involving Iran-backed Houthis and their opponents. The conflict continues to produce significant humanitarian and political challenges, with no immediate resolution in sight.