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.



Trump's Syria Policy Dominates Opening of 'Astana 22' Talks

The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Russia and Iran meet in New York in September. (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Russia and Iran meet in New York in September. (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
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Trump's Syria Policy Dominates Opening of 'Astana 22' Talks

The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Russia and Iran meet in New York in September. (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Russia and Iran meet in New York in September. (Turkish Foreign Ministry)

The 22nd round of the Astana peace talks on Syria kicked off in Kazakhstan’s capital on Monday. The talks, held over two days, brought together Syria’s government, opposition and guarantor states Russia, Iran and Türkiye, with observers from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and the UN.

The talks, initiated by Russia and supported by Türkiye and Iran, will focus on key issues such as the potential shifts in US policy toward Syria under President-elect Donald Trump, according to Russian presidential envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev.

The talks will also address regional tensions, including the spread of the Gaza conflict into Lebanon, ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Syria and concerns over the risk of the regional conflict expanding further.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stressed the importance of meeting before the end of the year to set priorities for Syria and the region.

This comes after the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed a “secret” Russian-Syrian agreement to limit the movement of Hezbollah, Iranian forces and Iranian-backed militias in Syria.

As well as the Syrian conflict, the talks will cover issues such as prisoner releases, missing persons, humanitarian conditions, international support for peace efforts, Syria’s reconstruction and the return of refugees.

The current round of talks will focus on the political and military situation around Syria.

Lavrentiev said Russia will do everything possible to prevent the Gaza conflict from spreading to Syria.

Potential changes in US policy toward Syria under Trump are a major topic for discussion among the ceasefire guarantors, he added. Russia will focus on concrete actions and proposals, rather than just statements, especially as expectations grow that Trump will follow through on his pledge to withdraw US troops from Syria.

This move could shift the balance of power and affect the actions of various parties. The withdrawal is a key demand for Russia, Iran and Türkiye, the three guarantor states of the Astana process.