Houthis Strike Aden Palace and Airport as Fighting Intensifies Around Taiz

The latest escalation follows a government offensive to retake Houthi territory. The Independent reported on October 16 that government forces had launched that campaign the previous week.

The Houthis have also been attacking Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen's internationally recognized government. According to NDTV, the movement had been firing missiles and drones at key Saudi sites for a week in response to the kingdom's support for government forces.

Aden is central to the confrontation. The southern port city houses the government's interim seat, and the presidential compound also contains command centres used by government forces and the Saudi-led military coalition, according to News18.

On October 15, Houthi missiles struck the al-Maashiq presidential palace in Aden. Yemen's information minister said the prime minister and other ministers were unhurt, BBC News reported. The Houthis described their target as the headquarters of Saudi forces assisting the Yemeni government, according to Infobae.

Casualty reports changed and differed. Initial coverage from BBC News reported two deaths, while Times Now reported at least four dead and 10 injured. By October 16, Euronews cited officials saying five people had been killed and 16 injured.

On October 16, Yemen's government said the Houthis fired two missiles at Aden airport, Al Jazeera reported. The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they targeted a weapons depot and a military command headquarters, according to AP. That account described two missiles striking the airport on Friday.

The Saudi-led coalition also released aerial footage dated October 16 showing what it described as strikes on a Houthi weapons-smuggling operation in Hodeidah, Arab News reported. Separately, the UN Security Council condemned escalating Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and criticized attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, according to CNA.

By October 17, the focus also extended to Taiz. The Financial Times reported that Houthi forces had surrounded the city. The Times of India described their advance as disrupting vital supply routes to Aden.

The fighting now combines attacks on government and Saudi military facilities in Aden with pressure around Taiz. Government-aligned forces said 378 Houthi fighters had been killed or wounded in ground clashes and air attacks in Taiz, according to Middle East Eye. That is a claim by one side, not an independently established casualty count in the supplied coverage.

The wider confrontation also centres on weapons supplies. Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of fueling the escalation, The New York Times reported. Telegraaf separately reported that the Houthis were working on an advanced ballistic missile system using components from China. That report does not establish Chinese government involvement.

Control of Taiz and the routes supplying Aden is a key issue as fighting continues. The reported encirclement of Taiz and disruption to supply routes leave the government facing pressure beyond the missile attacks, according to the Financial Times and the Times of India.

The coalition has said it will target what it describes as maritime weapons-smuggling operations into Hodeidah, Middle East Eye reported. Further operations there, alongside any new strikes on Aden or Saudi infrastructure, will show whether the escalation is spreading or being contained.