At least five people were killed and 16 wounded when a Houthi missile struck the presidential palace in Aden, Yemen's interim capital, according to officials from the internationally recognised government. The attack, which hit the compound used by the government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, underscores the fragility of the country's security situation even as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue.
Yahya Sarea, the Houthis' military spokesman, said the group had targeted what he called “the Saudi enemy's military operations headquarters in Aden.” The Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia and at Yemeni government positions in the south.
Health Minister Qasim Buhaibeh confirmed the casualties, saying they included palace guards and civilian employees. The death toll could rise as rescue teams sift through the debris, he added.
Video footage circulating on social media showed a plume of smoke rising from the palace area. Geolocation confirmed the footage was filmed in Aden, but it does not independently establish the cause of the smoke or link it directly to the reported missile strike.
Regional tensions and European stakes
The attack comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the Houthis also targeting Saudi energy infrastructure. Earlier this week, a missile strike hit a Saudi Aramco facility and Riyadh was targeted, prompting condemnation from Washington. The Houthis have stepped up their campaign as peace talks, brokered by the United Nations, have stalled.
For Europe, the conflict in Yemen has direct consequences. The Red Sea shipping lanes, through which a significant share of European trade passes, remain vulnerable to Houthi attacks. European firms face widening security threats beyond cyberattacks, including disruptions to supply chains and energy markets. The recent rise in oil prices after reported attacks in the Strait of Hormuz is a reminder of how fragile these routes are.
The European Union has called for restraint and for all parties to engage in the UN-led peace process. However, the bloc's influence is limited, and its focus has largely been on humanitarian aid. The EU has provided over €1 billion in assistance since the war began, but political leverage remains thin.
The attack on Aden also highlights the broader instability in the region, which has implications for European security. As the Houthis continue to develop longer-range missiles and drones, the threat to Gulf states and to international shipping grows. European navies, including those of France, the UK, and Italy, patrol the waters off Yemen as part of counter-piracy and maritime security missions.
In a statement, the Yemeni government accused the Houthis of undermining peace efforts and called on the international community to take a firmer stance. The Houthis, for their part, frame their attacks as retaliation for the Saudi-led coalition's bombing of civilian areas in the north.
The palace in Aden has been a frequent target. In 2019, a similar missile attack killed several soldiers. The government has moved its operations there after losing Sanaa in 2014, but its authority remains contested, with southern separatists also vying for control.
As the war enters its ninth year, the humanitarian situation remains dire. According to the UN, more than 20 million Yemenis need assistance, and the country is on the brink of famine. The attack on Aden is a stark reminder that peace remains elusive, and that the conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians.
For European policymakers, the challenge is to balance security concerns with humanitarian imperatives. The EU has supported UN efforts to broker a ceasefire, but the Houthis' latest escalation suggests that a political solution is still far off. The attack on Aden may prompt renewed calls for a more robust European role in the region, but so far, the bloc has been reluctant to engage militarily.
