Yemen's fighting escalates as Houthi rebels attack the headquarters of the internationally recognized government.

Hutiy rebels attacked the presidential palace in Aden, southern Yemen, killing at least four people and injuring ten others, according to government sources. The attack occurred amid escalating violence involving both civilian areas in cities such as Taiz and Lahij, and targets in Saudi Arabia. A senior unnamed official from the internationally recognized government confirmed that Prime Minister Saad al-Zindani was inside the palace during the assault but emerged unharmed. Zindani has held the position of prime minister since February this year. The rebels have launched ballistic missile attacks on residential neighborhoods in the central city of Marib. Fighting has intensified around Taiz, where both sides are vying for control over strategic mountainous regions and access routes to the city. According to Al Jazeera, the rebels have recently captured areas of Misrah and Turba, which provide key access points to Mount Sabr with views of Taiz. Government forces are attempting to halt their advance. In mid-September, the rebels swiftly seized parts of the Red Sea coast and took control of the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. In early October, government forces, supported by Saudi air strikes, launched a counteroffensive and claim to have reclaimed some territory previously occupied by the rebels. Recent clashes focus on the port city of Dhubab in the Taiz province, where forces loyal to the internationally recognized government attempt to advance toward the aforementioned strait. Control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait is crucial for international maritime trade, as it lies along one of the key shipping lanes between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The rebels also hinder Saudi oil shipments destined for Asian markets through this route. Meanwhile, the rebels continue to escalate attacks on targets deep within Saudi Arabian territory, including energy infrastructure, military installations, and airports. On Wednesday, they reportedly conducted an attack on the Aramco oil company in Dhahran, where a building caught fire. Saudi authorities announced on Thursday that they had intercepted a drone near the eastern part of the country and detected a maneuverable missile near Medina. The rebels deny targeting Medina. According to a press representative of the Saudi-led coalition, Turkey al-Maliki, there were 17 deaths and 333 injuries during attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport between October 7 and 11. The airport has been the target of 20 attacks since October 1. According to Al Jazeera, one of these attacks used ten drones, rockets, and other projectiles. The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned further and increasingly intense Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. It urged countries to respect arms embargo obligations regarding Yemen and emphasized that lasting peace in the country cannot be achieved through violence or force. According to The New York Times, despite years of large investments in its military, Saudi Arabia faces challenges in defending against Houthi attacks, which are backed by Iran. The kingdom allocates more than $82 billion annually to its military, yet its adversaries cause significant damage using relatively inexpensive drones and maneuverable missiles. Part of the problem is that Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in advanced fighter jets and anti-missile systems, while its defense struggles with low-flying projectiles capable of changing direction. Such targets are harder to detect with radars, especially when flying over hilly terrain. Military analysts estimate that Saudi Arabia has long directed its most advanced air defense systems primarily eastward and northeastward, anticipating threats from Iran or Iraq, leaving the southwest part of the country less protected.