Aden becomes military zone amid tensions between STC, pro-Saudi forces

ADEN, Jan. 31 (YPA) – Several main streets in Aden, southern Yemen, have effectively turned into a military zone as tensions escalate between pro-Saudi forces and supporters of the-now dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC), backed by the UAE.

The militarization followed the intensive deployment of pro-Saudi forces, including armored vehicles, in a pre-emptive move to prevent large-scale demonstrations planned by the STC’s supporters for Sunday.

The upcoming protests will be held in response to Saudi measures, including the closure of the STC’s “National Assembly” headquarters in the Tawahi district.

“According to sources, the orders were issued directly by Saudi delegate Falah Al-Shahrani in Aden and carried out by elements of the Al-Amaliqa forces under the command of Hamdi Shoukry al-Subaihi.”

According to published calls for action, protesters plan to forcefully reopen the headquarters while organizing a citywide civil disobedience campaign aimed at paralyzing Aden and demanding the expulsion of pro-Saudi forces.

The escalation followed Friday’s protests, during which STC’s supporters burned Saudi flags, labeling them a “betrayal” of the blood of STC’s members killed in last month’s airstrikes in Hadramout.

Al-Rawda Square has become a focal point of conflict after pro-Saudi forces blocked the weekly gathering, bringing in thousands of supporters from the Sabiha tribes in Lahj and the Mozaa and Al-Wazaiya areas of Taiz under the pretext of solidarity with Hamdi Shoukry al-Subaihi, who survived an assassination attempt via car bomb last week.

Observers warned that the situation in Aden is approaching a critical flashpoint, compounded by Saudi Arabia’s ongoing detention of STC leaders in Riyadh under the postponed “Southern Dialogue” and growing public hostility toward the Saudi presence, which increasingly clashes with the STC’s popular base in the city.

AA