Houthi Strikes Hit Yemen’s Aden Airport After Deadly Attack on Presidential Palace
Two missiles struck the airport in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden on Friday night, October 16, according to reports from Yemeni officials. The attack was blamed on the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, adding to growing security concerns in a city that serves as the base of operations for Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
No casualties were immediately reported from the airport strike. Officials said the missiles landed inside the airport grounds, close to a Yemenia Airways passenger aircraft that was preparing for take-off. The aircraft was reportedly moved away from danger.
The strike followed an attack on Aden’s Al-Maashiq presidential palace complex on Thursday, October 15, which killed five people and injured 16, according to Yemen’s Health Ministry. The casualties included security personnel and civilian employees.
Presidential palace attack killed five
The presidential palace complex is an important government site in Aden, which has served as the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government since Houthi forces seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
Yemeni officials said the Houthis fired missiles at the palace complex. The country’s prime minister and cabinet members were reported safe after the attack.
The Houthis said they had targeted a military operations headquarters associated with Saudi forces. However, Reuters reported that it could not independently verify the group’s claims about the target.
The latest attacks underline the growing danger facing government-held areas as fighting intensifies between the Houthis and forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
Aden remains the government’s operational centre
Despite the attacks, a Yemeni government adviser said the authorities intended to continue operating from Aden. The government has also instructed security and military agencies to take measures to protect state institutions.
Aden’s importance extends beyond politics. The southern port city is a key transport and commercial centre, and its airport is an important connection for passengers travelling into and out of government-held parts of Yemen.
Any sustained disruption to airport operations could affect civilian travel, government movement and humanitarian activities.
Yemen’s conflict enters a more dangerous phase
Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when Houthi forces took control of Sanaa and pushed the internationally recognised government out of the capital. Saudi Arabia intervened militarily in 2015 in support of the government.
A truce agreed in 2022 reduced major hostilities for a period, but fighting has intensified again in recent weeks. Government forces have been seeking to regain territory, while the Houthis have continued missile and drone operations.
The renewed violence is also unfolding amid wider regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia and other countries. Recent attacks attributed to the Houthis have targeted infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including airports and energy-related sites.
Civilian safety and humanitarian concerns
The latest strikes raise further concerns about the safety of civilians and essential infrastructure. Yemen has endured years of conflict, displacement, food insecurity and pressure on its healthcare system.
Further attacks on airports, ports or government facilities could make travel and the delivery of essential supplies more difficult. The full impact of the latest airport strike, including any longer-term disruption to flights, was not immediately clear.
The situation remains fluid, and further official information will be needed to establish the extent of damage and whether airport operations have been affected.
Abbas Postpones Palestinian Elections, Sets September 11, 2027, for Presidential Vote
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has postponed the legislative elections scheduled for November 2026 and announced that presidential and parliamentary elections will be held together on September 11, 2027.
The decision, announced through a presidential decree on Saturday, delays a long-awaited vote that could have reshaped Palestinian political leadership. The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that the decree cited obstacles linked to Israeli measures and the need to establish suitable conditions for free, fair and inclusive elections.
The announcement comes amid continuing political divisions between Abbas’s Fatah movement and its rivals, including Hamas, as well as difficult security and humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories.
Why Were the Elections Postponed?
According to the decree, Israeli military operations, settlement expansion, settler violence and movement restrictions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have complicated preparations for the elections.
The Palestinian leadership also pointed to restrictions affecting access for election officials and international observers, particularly in Gaza and East Jerusalem. The decree cited Gaza’s exceptional security and humanitarian situation, incomplete reconstruction and uncertainty surrounding security arrangements as additional challenges.
Abbas’s administration said the delay was intended to create the conditions needed for an inclusive electoral process and allow more time for Palestinian political dialogue.
However, Israel rejected the Palestinian leadership’s explanation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Abbas of blaming Israel to avoid responsibility and accountability, Reuters reported.
Elections to Be Held Together in 2027
Under the revised timetable, both presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for September 11, 2027. The legislative vote had previously been scheduled for November 28, 2026, while the presidential election had been expected separately in 2027.
The postponement followed consultations among Palestinian political factions and a decision by the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee. Discussions among factions in Cairo had also focused on delaying the vote and addressing divisions within Palestinian politics.
The new date does not guarantee that the elections will take place as scheduled. Preparations will depend on the political, security and logistical conditions across the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
A Long Gap Since the Last National Elections
The decision highlights the prolonged absence of national elections in Palestinian politics. The last Palestinian legislative elections took place in 2006, when Hamas won a majority of seats. The political split that followed contributed to Hamas taking control of Gaza in 2007, while the Palestinian Authority continued administering parts of the occupied West Bank.
Abbas was elected president in 2005, and his presidential mandate expired in 2009. He has continued to lead the Palestinian Authority amid repeated delays to plans for new national elections.
The latest postponement is likely to renew questions about political representation, democratic legitimacy and the future of Palestinian governance. Supporters of a delay have pointed to the practical obstacles to voting across Palestinian territories, while critics have raised concerns about the continued absence of a renewed electoral mandate.
International Pressure for a Vote
International governments have urged Palestinian leaders to hold elections as part of efforts to strengthen political legitimacy and advance reforms. France has previously linked its diplomatic efforts concerning Palestinian statehood to commitments around political reform and elections.
The European Union has also supported election observation efforts. However, the ability of observers and electoral officials to operate across all intended voting areas remains a major issue.
For now, September 11, 2027, is the announced date for both elections. Whether the vote can proceed will depend on conditions on the ground and the ability of Palestinian political leaders to resolve the outstanding obstacles.