Yemen: Security Tension in Abyan, Shabwa and Socotra

A general view of Aden. (Reuters)
A general view of Aden. (Reuters)
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Yemen: Security Tension in Abyan, Shabwa and Socotra

A general view of Aden. (Reuters)
A general view of Aden. (Reuters)

As services in Yemen's interim capital Aden continue to deteriorate, security tension mounts between the legitimate government and the followers of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Abyan, Shabwa, and Socotra.

Yemenis hope that Jeddah dialogue would result in normalizing the relation among Yemeni components and unifying efforts to face the Houthi coup.

In this context, local sources and witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that there is a security tension in Abyan, Shabwa, and Socotra.

STC followers accused the legitimate government of repressing Thursday a protest that called for separating south Yemen from its north. They demanded, in a statement, restoring forces known as ‘Shabwani Elite’ to handle security tasks in the province.

One at least was killed and others were wounded by the fire of government forces in Azzan, according to the statement that also accused the government forces of arresting several activists.

STC followers called for the return of ‘Shabwani Elite’ to their previous positions and all the province regions to maintain security, stability and to combat terrorist groups.

Moreover, government sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the legitimate security bodies are carrying out their duties in protecting the government headquarters and maintaining security as well as preventing the spread of chaos.

Field sources in Abyan reported that the government forces were keen in the past weeks to reinforce their military presence in Abyan regions in coincidence with STC forces continuing to foster their presence in regions ruled by them especially in Zinjibar and Jaar.

Yemeni activists told the newspaper that they hoped the ongoing dialogue in Jeddah would progress between the legitimacy and the STC leadership.

According to political sources close to the legitimate government, there is no direct dialogue until now between the parties’ representatives. However, the sources affirmed to the newspaper that there are Saudi efforts that would result in an agreement to end the crisis and guarantee the return of the legitimate government to Aden.



73 People Killed Waiting for Humanitarian Aid Across Gaza, Palestinian Health Ministry Says

Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
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73 People Killed Waiting for Humanitarian Aid Across Gaza, Palestinian Health Ministry Says

Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

The Palestinian Health Ministry said that 73 people were killed while waiting for aid at locations across Gaza on Sunday.

The largest toll was in northern Gaza, where at least 67 Palestinians were killed while attempting to access aid entering northern Gaza through the Zikim crossing with Israel, according to the Health Ministry and local hospitals, The AP news reported.

More than 150 people were wounded, some critically, hospitals said. It wasn't immediately clear whether they were killed by the Israeli army or armed gangs or both. But some witnesses said that the Israeli military shot at the crowd.

The Israeli military earlier published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops.

The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave.

The announcement comes as Israel and Hamas have been holding ceasefire talks in Qatar, but international mediators say there have been no breakthroughs.