Aden, Yemen – Gunfire was heard Tuesday evening near the presidential palace in Aden, southern Yemen, causing concern among residents. This occurred before security forces issued an official statement regarding the incident.
Aden security spokesman Khaled al-Sanami said in an official statement that southern security forces engaged a drone flying over the districts of Crater and Khor Maksar. He confirmed that the gunfire was part of precautionary security measures to protect the interim capital. Al-Sanami explained that the operation carried “a firm message that the security of Aden is a red line that cannot be crossed.”
The statement emphasized that security forces will firmly confront any threat targeting the city’s security and stability. It also noted that the swift response to the drone incident is part of ongoing monitoring and security plans, given the security challenges facing the country.
While the statement did not identify the party behind the drone, security sources and observers suggested that Houthi militias or elements linked to the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist organization were responsible. This is seen as an attempt to destabilize the security situation in Aden, particularly in light of current political developments.
In a related development, high-ranking sources within the Southern Transitional Council (STC) reported that a delegation headed by Aidarus al-Zubaidi is preparing to travel from Aden to Riyadh. The purpose of the visit is to discuss just solutions to the Southern cause and to unify efforts aimed at ending the Houthi coup. The sources emphasized that the STC’s participation in any future dialogue aims to formulate a comprehensive Southern vision that aligns with the aspirations of the Southern people and their right to self-determination within a clear timeframe and under international and UN supervision.
Observers believe that these political moves, coupled with the security preparedness in Aden, represent a setback for attempts by some parties to use media or security escalation to undermine the role of the STC or to destabilize the interim capital, which is witnessing ongoing efforts to consolidate security and protect state institutions.
