Aden, Yemen – The southern Yemeni capital of Aden witnessed heightened security tensions on Saturday after security and military forces stormed the parade ground in the Khormaksar district for the second time in a matter of hours.
This action was taken to disperse a crowd preparing to participate in a mass rally called for by the Southern Transitional Council.
The city has been experiencing frequent unrest, making Aden a frequent subject of local and international news.
Dispersal by force and injuries
Local sources reported that security forces used live ammunition to disperse crowds that had begun gathering in the square,
resulting in injuries to several people, including at least four with varying
degrees of wounds, amidst a heavy security presence in the surrounding area.
It is worth noting that these events occurred against the backdrop of ongoing developments in Aden
and the deployment of military vehicles and armored personnel carriers around the parade grounds.
Sources also reported the use of medium-caliber weapons during the dispersal operation, further escalating tensions at the site.
Frequent raids within hours
This development comes hours after the first raid on the square at dawn on Saturday.
At that time, security forces removed the main banner of the event,
which featured a picture of the head of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarus al-Zubaidi The participants then re-erected it.
The forces later returned and carried out a second dispersal operation.
The Southern Transitional Council had called on its supporters to rally in the streets of Aden, Mukalla,
and Seiyun to participate in an event under the slogan “Rejecting Guardianship and Opposing Occupation.”
It also asserted that the mobilization was in protest against what it described
as measures targeting its political leadership and its national project.
