Witnesses reported at least six explosions near Al-Maashiq palace, used by Yemen's internationally recognised government. An AFP journalist saw smoke rising from the area, and residents described hearing blasts that caused panic, with many fleeing the vicinity.
Casualty figures differed between sources. A Yemeni government official told the Associated Press that at least two people were killed and six wounded. Government military sources told Agence France-Presse that at least four people were killed and 10 wounded. A security official told the AP that two explosions occurred on the hilltop near the palace and two more near the security gate.
A Yemeni government minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the prime minister, Shaya al-Zindani, was present at the time but was not harmed. The Houthis quickly claimed responsibility, stating they had attacked a military operations headquarters of the "Saudi enemy".
The government said the Houthis used missiles and drones in the attack, the Aden-based Saba news agency reported. AFP also quoted a minister saying three missiles hit the coalition command centre and two struck the coalition forces' headquarters at the presidential complex, with both Yemeni and Saudi casualties, though no specific toll was given.
The attack is part of a broader Houthi strategy of striking targets inside Saudi Arabia, including airports and oil infrastructure. The escalation has complicated efforts to end the wider Iran war and rattled global markets, with Saudi Arabia, a major oil exporter, facing repeated attacks. Regional aviation has also been affected, with the rebels warning airlines about the use of Saudi airspace for attacks, disrupting thousands of flights across the kingdom.
Earlier on Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted a cruise missile, though details were not immediately available.