Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on the al-Maashiq presidential palace in Aden, Yemen, on Thursday, killing two security personnel and injuring others. The prime minister and cabinet members were unharmed, according to Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani.

Five ballistic missiles struck the complex, which serves as the headquarters of Yemen's internationally recognized government. The Houthis claimed the target was a Saudi military operations headquarters and weapons depots inside the palace grounds. Their military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, described the strike as part of a policy to hit Saudi military buildups wherever they occur.

Yemeni officials condemned the attack as cowardly and terrorist in nature. Prime Minister Shaya Zindani stated that the government would continue its duties without weakening its resolve against Houthi forces on multiple fronts, including the southwestern Red Sea coast.

The assault marks a significant escalation in Yemen's civil war, which has intensified since a truce collapsed earlier this year. The Houthis, who seized the capital Sanaa in 2014 and forced the government into exile in Aden, have made recent territorial gains along the Red Sea coast. A Saudi-led coalition supports the recognized government with air operations.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of fueling the conflict through its support for the Houthis. The group has also conducted attacks on Saudi infrastructure in recent weeks, including strikes on airports and oil facilities.

Videos shared on social media showed smoke rising from the palace area following the explosions. The incident comes amid broader regional tensions involving Iranian proxies and ongoing fighting in areas like Taiz, which holds strategic importance near the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

Government sources reported that the attack included both missiles and drones. Officials reassured the public that state institutions in Aden remain operational despite the strike.