100 children trapped inside park due to clashes erupted around Ma’ashiq Palace in Aden

ADEN, Feb. 20 (YPA) – At least 100 children found themselves trapped under a hail of bullets in Aden city, due to clashes erupted around Ma’ashiq Palace during a protest by supporters of the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Eyewitnesses reported that dozens of children and families lived through hours of fear and terror following the clashes and heavy gunfire which trapped them inside Fun City amusement park adjacent to the palace.

They confirmed that the children, who had gone out to celebrate and enjoy themselves on the second day of Ramadan, sought refuge in the park’s prayer area, lying on the ground in a state of panic and terror, amidst screams and cries for help from their parents.

The witnesses stated that the heavy gunfire and military deployment in the area turned the families’ and children’s outing into a real nightmare, as ordinary people found themselves caught in the crossfire of live ammunition amidst the security tensions in the region.

This shooting incident by the Saudi-backed “Homeland Shield” and “Giants” forces, which control the Ma’ashiq Palace, once again highlights the dangers facing civilians in Aden due to the overlap of military and security sites with residential areas and public spaces, making the lives of innocent people hostage to any sudden armed escalation.