Yemen: Clashes break out between security forces in Aden Sep. 16

Event

Security sources reported that clashes broke out in Aden on Saturday, September 16. According to local reports, members of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s Presidential Protection Forces refused to hand over a checkpoint to the Security Belt, a group formed by the UAE. The fighting took place in al-Arish on the Aden Abyan road. At least one person was killed and another four wounded in the clashes.

Context

According to the commander of the Presidential Protection Forces, his soldiers were concerned that they were being discharged without any compensation. The UAE is a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that is fighting the Houthi rebels.

Yemen is engaged in a complex and deadly conflict, ongoing since Houthi rebels entered into a civil war with the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, in 2015. Approximately 10,000 Yemenis have died in the fighting and over 2.5 million are displaced. The devastating war has also sparked a cholera outbreak, which as affected approximately 500,000 people to date.

Advice

The security environment in Yemen remains complex. Due to poor security conditions, many Western governments strongly advise their citizens against all travel to Yemen. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.