At least six explosions struck on Thursday (October 15, 2026) near the palace used by Yemen’s internationally recognised government in the port city of Aden, witnesses said.
An official said at least two people were killed, and Iran-backed Houthi rebels based in northern Yemen quickly claimed responsibility.
The government said the Houthis attacked with missiles and drones, the Aden-based SABA news agency reported. It was a rare attack on the palace area, as fighting has escalated between the rebels and a Saudi-led coalition in the latest front in the Iran war. The explosions caused panic among residents, who fled the area. The escalation has complicated efforts to end the wider Iran war and further rattled global markets as Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s top oil exporters, faces repeated attacks. Regional aviation is affected, too, as the rebels have warned airlines about their use of Saudi airspace for attacks. Thousands of flights across the kingdom have been disrupted.
Because he was not authorized to speak to the press, another six people were wounded, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A security official said at least two explosions were on top of the hill near the Maashiq palace, and two others were near the security gate. The Houthis said they attacked a military operations headquarters with the “Saudi enemy,” part of their strategy of attacking Saudi targets that has included a series of attacks on airports and oil infrastructure inside the kingdom.
Because they were not authorized to speak to the media, both officials spoke on condition of anonymity.
Many of Yemen’s government leaders are living in exile, and those in Aden were safe, a government official said.
