ADEN(YEMEN): After repeatdly targeting Saudi Arabia and striking critical infrastructures, including the airports and energy facilities, the Houthi militia has further escalated the attacks. Houthi proxies launched a massive attack on the Presidential palace of Yemen leading to the death of five people and 16 others were injured. The latest Houthi strikes reflect another facet of the the soaring West Asia conflict & proxy wars, with the involvement of multiple parties, including non-state actors, inflicting damage to larger West Asian landscape and causing severe regional and global repercussions.
The Houthi attack targeted the al-Maashiq Presidential Palace in Yemen’s southern city of Aden. The latest attack comes amidst escalating hostilities between the Houthi militia and the government forces of Yemen. In a post on X, Houthi rebels spokesperson Yahya Saree on October 15, Thursday claimed responsibility for the attack, saying, “The bombing of the Saudi enemy’s war operations headquarters in Aden comes within the context of the announced equation of striking Saudi mobilizations wherever they may be and considering any military presence of the Saudi enemy a legitimate target for our forces wherever it may be”.
The Houthis have reportedly launched multiple waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting the Al-Maashiq Presidential Palace compound in Aden. The Prime Minister @Shaya_Zindani is safe and unharmed, but casualties have been reported. A second wave of attacks targeted the… pic.twitter.com/AGbw9rIuwP
— Basha باشا (@BashaReport) October 15, 2026
The Saudi-Houthis conflict intensified in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa, capital of Yemen and ousted the internationally recognised government. This prompted a Saudi-led military intervention into Yemen in 2015. The latest escalation has raised concerns over regional security, energy supplies and maritime trade through the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait chokepoint.
Dawn of Yemen: Operation launched by Saudi-backed govt to destroy Houthis
Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi called the attack an “extension” of strikes against airports and oil facilities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Al-Alimi said he had directed government forces to “take the necessary measures to protect state institutions, counter terrorist threats and respond appropriately to sources of danger”. He added that the “Dawn of Yemen” operation, launched earlier this month, was proceeding towards its objective of “restoring state institutions and extending state authority across the entire national territory, ultimately reaching the capital, Sanaa”.
Yemen’s Minister of Youth Nayef Saleh al-Bakri said all cabinet ministers in Aden were unharmed and asserted that members of the government would not leave the city following the attack. Meanwhile, Yemeni government forces claimed to have carried out 1,250 attacks against Houthi positions in the preceding 24 hours as part of the “Dawn of Yemen” campaign.
Government forces spokesperson Majed al-Nuzaili said in a post on X that the operations involved combat aircraft, drones, artillery and rocket launchers and destroyed 150 Houthi vehicles. He said that the attacks contributed to the destruction of Houthi fortifications, “particularly on the Taiz fronts”. Separately, the Marib Governorate Media Office said in an official press release that the Houthis fired nine ballistic missiles and seven other projectiles at Marib city on Thursday evening.
Yemen government condemned the attacks as “a flagrant violation of international laws and norms prohibiting attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure”. It warned that “continued missile attacks on populated areas” represented “a dangerous escalation threatening civilian lives and security” and urged the international community, the United Nations and humanitarian and human rights organisations to “take concrete action to protect civilians and hold those responsible accountable”.
The escalation follows Houthi claims of attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Houthi rebels spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement posted on X that the group had targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in the Eastern Province, the Ras Tanura refinery and the airport using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
Saudi Arabia accuses Iran for backing Houthis & escalating conflict
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly accused Iran of encouraging the escalation. Krimly said that Tehran continued to “arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in violation of its commitments in the Beijing agreement”, referring to the Saudi-Iranian agreement brokered by China in March 2023, to halt hostilities. Krimly also alleged that elements in Russia and China were providing Iran and the Houthis with capabilities or intelligence, including through commercial channels.
Countries issue travel advisory, Urge evacuation of civilians
Amid soaring Houthis attack, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said France had begun deploying military assets in Saudi Arabia to help protect its oil facilities. French President Emmanuel Macron had said last month that France would send troops and defence systems to protect Yanbu, a key Red Sea energy transport hub.
The Saudi-led coalition also warned civilians earlier in the week to evacuate the Al-Sabahah Central Station of the Yemeni Oil Company in Houthi-controlled Sanaa ahead of a planned military operation. The coalition said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting Khamis Mushait and neutralised three unmanned aerial vehicles north of Riyadh.
Air India, IndiGo cancel flights to Riyadh
Air India has extended the cancellation of all its flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20, 2026, citing the evolving security situation in Saudi Arabia amid recent attacks on civilian airports and aviation infrastructure by the Houthis.
The carrier added that passengers affected by the cancellations were being offered a full refund, reiterating that the safety and security of passengers and crew remained its highest priority. The latest extension by Air India follows earlier flight suspensions announced by Indian carriers IndiGo and Akasa Air amid escalating security concerns in the Middle East.
IndiGo had announced cancellations of flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until October 17, advising passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. The airline said it was coordinating with relevant authorities and providing updates to passengers through the contact details supplied at the time of booking.
Akasa Air had also extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah until October 17, citing the escalating security situation and associated risks to safe flight operations. In its advisory, Akasa Air said affected passengers could opt for a full refund or reschedule their travel without additional charges.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh rose to 13 after the Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed the death of an Indian national who had been injured in the incident. Amid the military escalation, the Houthis issued a broad warning to international airlines, foreign workers and commercial travellers to avoid Saudi aviation hubs, declaring Saudi airspace unsafe.
(With Inputs from ANI)
