Massive demonstration organized before Ma’ashiq Palace in Aden

ADEN, Nov. 23 (YPA) – Dozens of wounded soldiers and families of killed pro-coalition soldiers staged a protest on Sunday in front of the Maashiq Palace, which serves as the headquarters of the “Leadership Council” and the government in Aden.

 

The protesters raised banners and chanted slogans demanding the disbursement of their overdue financial entitlements, which have been delayed since last June, and stressed the need to complete the treatment of the wounded both inside and outside the country.

 

The protesters denounced the marginalization and systematic starvation policy to which the wounded and the families of the dead are subjected by the coalition-backed government.

 

Several participants in the protest announced the start of an open-ended sit-in in front of the palace gate, amid a heavy security presence. Aden’s security director, Mutahhar al-Shuaibi, was expelled after attempting to suppress the protest.

 

During the protest, participants set next Thursday as the date for a major demonstration by civilian and military employees and retirees in front of the Ma’ashiq Palace in the Crater district to demand the disbursement of their financial entitlements and the provision of basic services, including electricity and water, for the city’s residents.

 

In a related context, activists loyal to the Southern Transitional Council threatened an unprecedented escalation against the head of the Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, and the pro-coalition government, coinciding with the 58th anniversary of National Independence Day, marking the departure of the last British soldier from Aden on November 30, 1967.

 

They vowed to storm the Ma’ashiq Palace and expel Rashad al-Alimi and those they called the “7/7 Gang” from Aden within a week if their demands are not met within one week from today.