Southern Separatists Capture Aden City

Reports indicate that southern separatists in Yemen have seized the port city of Aden after two days of fighting. The government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, recognized as the legitimate government of Yemen, has fallen to the separatist forces. According to the Associated Press, the southern separatists, supported by the United Arab Emirates, clashed with forces loyal to Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia. The UAE-Saudi coalition in Yemen, formed to counter Iranian interference supporting the Houthis, is at risk of a serious rift. Since the capital Sana'a fell to the Houthis three years ago, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have made significant efforts to support Hadi's government. Hadi lives in Saudi Arabia, but his government operates in Aden. Residents of Aden reported that forces loyal to the 'Southern Transitional Council,' formed a year ago in southern Yemen, captured the last stronghold of the pro-presidential palace forces in 'Dar Saad' in northern Aden after heavy gunfire exchanges. Yemeni activists on social media shared photos showing the flag of 'Independent Southern Yemen' raised over the entrance of the presidential palace compound. Southern Yemen united with northern Yemen in 1990. According to Aden residents, the 'Southern Transitional Council' forces had previously attacked and taken over the positions of the presidential palace defenders in the Tawahi area. These forces reportedly stopped outside the Maashiq Palace, where Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr resides. Eyewitnesses say hundreds of people celebrated the victory of the 'Southern Transitional Council' forces in Aden with dancing and fireworks. The people also chanted slogans for the reconstruction of Southern Yemen. Residents reported that even mosques announced the victory during the call to prayer. The state news agency Saba in Yemen reported that during the past two days of fighting in Aden, 16 people were killed and 141 injured. An official from the International Committee of the Red Cross stated that the death toll is 36 and the number of injured is 185. The clashes began on Sunday after the deadline set by the 'Southern Transitional Council' for Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to dismiss Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr's government expired. The Southern Transitional Council claimed that the government was mired in corruption and mismanagement, which the bin Daghr government denied. Some sources say negotiations were underway to ensure that bin Daghr's government could leave Aden safely, but a Yemeni government source stated that bin Daghr had no intention of leaving Aden. Aidarus al-Zubaidi, the head of the 'Southern Transitional Council,' in his first public speech since the fighting began, stated that the separatist forces remain committed to the common goal of the coalition forces to expel the Houthis from Sana'a. However, he did not indicate whether he intends to establish a separate government in Aden. In an interview with the Arabic section of France 24, al-Zubaidi said, 'We have duties in the Arab coalition and military operations (against the Houthis). But the people of the south have the right to have their own government when the international community is ready.' The Saudi-led military coalition issued a statement on Tuesday urging both sides to end hostilities. The statement said, 'The coalition is considering all necessary measures to restore stability and security to Aden.' The United Nations reports that since the intervention of the Saudi-led regional coalition in Yemen's civil war, more than 8,670 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured; over 60% of the casualties are civilians. The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Tuesday expressing concern over the outbreak of fighting and urging both sides to refrain from escalating the conflict and further bloodshed. The U.S. government supports the Saudi-led military coalition. Part of the statement reads: 'The people of Yemen are currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Further conflict and violence in Yemen will only add to the suffering of the people.'