Aden Airport Closure Sparks Mutual Accusations; Tensions Rise in Southern Yemen

International Desk: PNN

Tensions escalated on Friday in Yemen’s Hadramawt province, where the Saudi-backed governor Salem Al-Khanbashi and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), fighting for southern independence, engaged in confrontations.

STC accused Saudi forces of bombing their troops near the border. Meanwhile, Governor Al-Khanbashi stated, “Efforts to reclaim STC-held military bases are being conducted peacefully and according to protocol.” He emphasized that this operation is not a declaration of war but a security measure to prevent disorder.

Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Al-Attab reported ongoing clashes near STC positions. Initial reports indicate STC still holds its occupied positions.

The tension stems from recent Saudi-backed government measures, transferring full command of the National Shield in Hadramawt to Al-Khanbashi, giving him complete military, security, and administrative authority. Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognized Yemeni government claim that the UAE is supplying weapons to the STC and encouraging armed takeovers in southern Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah provinces.

Last week, the UAE announced that it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen under Saudi instructions. Despite the STC being part of the coalition formed to combat Houthi rebels a decade ago, its separatist actions and alleged UAE support have created tensions within the coalition.

Rashad Al-Alimi, head of the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, warned, “Any step against the government’s decision will plunge the country into a new cycle of violence.” He added that the UAE’s military withdrawal was coordinated with the coalition leadership to prevent outside interference.

The STC has threatened not to withdraw troops from southern provinces. On Friday, the Saudi ambassador reported that Idarus Al-Zubaidi, leader of the STC, was blamed for preventing a Saudi aircraft from landing at Aden International Airport. STC’s transport ministry accused Saudi Arabia of blocking the airspace, although Saudi sources stated the regulation was implemented by the internationally recognized Yemeni government. Presidential advisor Thabet Al-Ahmadi clarified that this step was intended solely to prevent financial smuggling via STC.