Aden: Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced the suspension of operations at Aden International Airport, located in the southern part of the country. The STC-affiliated AIC channel reported that Saudi Arabia ceased both domestic and international flights to and from Aden airport, causing a complete halt in operations at the facility. The airport primarily facilitates flights to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, which functions under the STC's authority through a power-sharing arrangement with Yemen's internationally recognized government, criticized what it termed as unexpected Saudi measures, highlighting inspections of flights arriving from Aden to the kingdom. The ministry acknowledged receiving a memo from the Saudi-led Arab coalition, indicating that all international flights must pass through Jeddah Airport for inspection before proceeding to their final destinations.
A senior government source refuted the claims that Yemeni authorities had directed the shutdown of Aden airport. The state news agency Saba, referencing the source, stated that aviation authorities, in collaboration with the Saudi-led coalition, implemented 'limited regulatory measures' for specific external destinations, without providing additional details. These measures are reportedly part of efforts to reduce tensions.
Tensions in southern Yemen intensified last month after STC forces seized control of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra provinces in eastern Yemen, following confrontations with government forces. These two governorates comprise nearly half of Yemen's land area. Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of encouraging STC forces to conduct military operations along its southern border in Hadramout and Mahra. The UAE dismissed these claims as 'allegations' and reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia's security.
On Tuesday, Yemen's presidential council annulled a joint defense agreement with the UAE, instructed all Emirati forces to exit Yemen within 24 hours, and declared a 90-day state of emergency, citing 'attempts to divide the country.' The Emirati Defense Ministry later stated that it had completed the mission of its remaining counterterrorism teams in Yemen, noting that it ended its military presence in the country in 2019 as part of the Saudi-led coalition.
The STC frequently argues that successive governments have politically and economically neglected southern regions and advocates for their separation from the north, claims that Yemeni authorities reject, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the country's territorial unity.