Two killed, five injured by STC fire during protest in Aden

ADEN. Aug. 04 (YPA) -At least two protesters were killed and five others injured on Saturday by the UAE-backed Southern Translation Council (STC)’s militia during a protest, demanding the disclosure of the fate of the abducted Major Ali Ashal Al-Jaadani, in the heart of Aden city, local sources reported on late Saturday.

The sources identified the victims as Muhammad Daban Al-Kazmi and Walid Lakou’ Al-Nukhai.According to the sources, the STC militia opened fire to prevent protesters from reaching to Al-Aroud Square in the Khormaksar district to take part in the pro-Ashal “million-man march”.

The sources added that the STC factions, which were heavily deployed on military vehicles at all entrances to Khormaksar, carried out random abductions of protesters, taking them to unknown locations.

No information available about the number of those abducted so far.

The security situation remains tense in the city, as armed checkpoints being established on some main streets and residential neighborhood entrances in anticipation of any potential protests.

Southern tribes have mobilized to organize the “Million Man” rally to support the stance of the Al-Jaadani tribe in Abyan, from which Ashal hails.

This effort aims to uncover his unknown fate since mid-June. This mobilization comes amid claims by Aden security that leaders from the so-called “Counter-Terrorism” unit, which is funded by the UAE and led by Shalal Shayea are behind the abduction and disappearance of Ashal.

@E.Y.M