Houthis Attack Coalition Headquarters in Aden Amid Escalating Exchange of Strikes with Yemeni Army

Missiles and drones targeted the coalition headquarters in Al-Buraiqa as a series of explosions rocked the area, while another explosion was reported in Houthi-controlled Sanaa amid continuing Yemeni military operations against the group.

The Houthis launched a missile and drone attack early Friday targeting the coalition headquarters in Al-Buraiqa district, west of Aden, marking the latest escalation in an intensifying exchange of strikes between the group and the Yemeni army.

Local sources told Sheba Intelligence that a series of powerful explosions was heard in Al-Buraiqa during the attack, with flames seen in the targeted area. At least five explosions had been reported by the time of publication, although the extent of damage and any casualties remained unclear.

Sources told Sheba Intelligence that the Houthi attack failed to hit weapons storage facilities or command headquarters inside the Al-Buraiqa military compound. According to the sources, the base had already been largely evacuated following recent military developments along Yemen’s western coast and around Bab al-Mandab, with personnel and sensitive assets relocated as part of precautionary measures. The extent of any damage elsewhere inside or around the compound remains unclear.

The attack came hours after strikes targeted Houthi military sites in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital which has been under the group’s control since September 2014, as well as positions in other governorates.

The Yemeni army said Thursday that it had carried out what it described as a “high-value targeting operation” in Sanaa, in addition to strikes against 11 high-value targets in Saada. It also reported 27 airstrikes across the Taiz fronts targeting a missile storage facility, command-and-control centers, supply and weapons positions, troop concentrations and military vehicles.

Sheba Intelligence had earlier reported a series of powerful explosions at Houthi military sites in Sanaa, particularly around Jabal Al-Nahdayn, south of the capital, as strikes and internal operations against the group have intensified in recent days.

In a potentially significant development, another explosion was heard in Sanaa at approximately the same time as the Houthi attack on the coalition headquarters in Aden, according to preliminary information. The cause of that explosion and the site targeted have yet to be determined.

The Al-Buraiqa attack also followed the coalition’s announcement that it had intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles launched toward Khamis Mushait and Jazan, as well as four drones heading toward Khamis Mushait.

The escalation comes a day after the coalition said its investigation concluded that the Houthis were responsible for a drone attack on the Taibah electricity distribution station in Medina. The Houthis denied responsibility.

The developments point to a rapidly expanding cycle of military operations, with the Yemeni army intensifying strikes against Houthi military capabilities while the Houthis launch missiles and drones against military targets in Yemen and targets inside Saudi Arabia.

Sheba Intelligence is continuing to monitor the attack on the coalition headquarters in Al-Buraiqa and the series of explosions reported in the area, alongside ongoing strikes against Houthi military sites.