The port city of Aden, in Yemen's south, has been put under curfew, as the rift in the country between the Saudi led coalition which backs Yemen's presidential governing council, and the southern forces led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), deepens.
Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Governing Council and commander of the al-Amalik brigades, has ordered a curfew in the temporary capital, Aden, "to maintain security".
"A curfew has been imposed throughout Aden Governorate from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., in accordance with the instructions of Commander Abdul Rahman al-Mahrami, a member of the Presidential Management Council," the statement said.
It states that only security and military personnel, as well as medical and technical teams with approved permits, will be allowed to move in the area during these hours.
Yemen's presidential council, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and which already is in a struggle with the Houthi Movement in the north of the country who also occupy the capital Sanaa, two days ago issued an order for the arrest of the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC),, Aidarous al Zubaidi. The STC have wide support among people in the South, and advocate that South Yemen restores its independence.
The coalition warned of further escalation in Aden, long regarded as an STC stronghold, as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief accused STC leader Aidarous Al Zubaidi of “high treason” and announced the revocation of his membership in the governing body.
The moves mark a sharp escalation in tensions within the anti-Houthi camp, despite National Shield Forces, rivals of the STC and former allies, having recently retaken control of Hadhramaut and Mahra from southern fighters. The STC’s takeover of the two regions last month angered Saudi Arabia and contributed to igniting the current internal conflict.
In a statement, coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki Al Malki said Mr Al Zubaidi had been asked to travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to discuss “the reasons behind the escalation and attacks by forces affiliated with the STC”.
However, Mr Al Zubaidi failed to board a flight carrying a large number of STC leaders on Tuesday and instead “fled to an unknown location”, accused of distributing weapons and ammunition to fighters and mobilising forces near Aden.
“At 4am, coalition forces carried out limited pre-emptive strikes to disrupt these forces and thwart Al Zubaidi’s attempts to escalate the conflict and extend it into Al Dhale” near Aden, the spokesman announced.
He warned of further escalation, urging civilians to stay away from military camps in Aden and Al Dhale, avoid gatherings of military vehicles, and report "suspicious movements" to security authorities.
source: commonspace.eu with agencies and The National (Abu Dhabi)
photo: Aden, aerial view (archive picture)
