The U.S. Expresses Concern Over Clashes in Aden

Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, expressed concern on Monday, January 29, regarding reports of clashes in Aden and urged all parties involved to avoid further bloodshed. Nauert stated in a statement: "The United States is concerned about reports of daily clashes in Aden. We urge all parties to exercise restraint, prevent escalation, and avoid further bloodshed." The spokesperson added: "We call on all parties involved in Aden to reach a political solution through dialogue." In recent days, the city of Aden has witnessed clashes between southern separatists and the forces of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi of Yemen. Several people have been killed in these clashes. The separatists, who seek independence for southern Yemen, have taken control of a large part of Aden and are engaged in conflict with government forces. Nauert emphasized in her statement: "Yemen is facing a severe humanitarian crisis; new disputes and violence within Yemen will only add to the suffering. Political dialogue is the only way to achieve a stable, united, and successful Yemen." Meanwhile, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi accused the Emirati-backed separatists of staging a coup against the Yemeni government. According to the Associated Press, Hadi, who is in Saudi Arabia, again called for a ceasefire in Aden, stating: "Peace will not be achieved through rebellion and taking up arms." The Yemeni president added: "The real war and the main battle are against the Iranian-backed Houthi militants, and any discussion of other issues could affect the status of this main battle." He asserted: "Any attack on legitimacy is a coup." The International Red Cross reported that since Sunday, the clashes in Aden have resulted in at least 36 deaths and 185 injuries. The Associated Press noted that relations between the UAE and Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi have soured in recent months, while the UAE is one of the countries in the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia fighting against the Houthi Shiite militants. Since the escalation of the war in 2015 and the advances of the Houthi militants, the internationally recognized Yemeni government has designated Aden as its temporary capital. According to Reuters, tensions in southern Yemen have increased since the Southern Transitional Council, the Emirati-backed separatist force, gave Hadi a deadline to dismiss the current cabinet led by Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr. Ahmed bin Daghr, the Yemeni Prime Minister, on Sunday, January 28, accused the separatists of bringing military units to Aden and establishing new checkpoints, claiming they are attacking the camps of the legitimate Yemeni government. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation and stated that the regional coalition led by Saudi Arabia and Arab countries must assist the government. The United Nations reports that since the intervention of the Saudi-led regional coalition in Yemen's civil war, over 8,670 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured; more than 60% of the casualties are civilians.