STC, Yemeni Govt Clash in Abyan After War of Words

Fighters from of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) fire towards positions of Saudi-backed government forces during clashes in the southern Abyan province | Nabil HASAN AFP
Fighters from of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) fire towards positions of Saudi-backed government forces during clashes in the southern Abyan province | Nabil HASAN AFP
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STC, Yemeni Govt Clash in Abyan After War of Words

Fighters from of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) fire towards positions of Saudi-backed government forces during clashes in the southern Abyan province | Nabil HASAN AFP
Fighters from of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) fire towards positions of Saudi-backed government forces during clashes in the southern Abyan province | Nabil HASAN AFP

The war of words between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) escalated to real-time clashes in the cities of Shaqra and Zinjibar in the Abyan governorate. Field reports indicate that deaths and injuries were incurred by both sides.

These developments came after southern separatists, who are effectively in control of the city of Aden, declared about two weeks ago a state of emergency in areas of their control. The STC accuses the internationally recognized Yemeni government of corruption.

Field sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that government forces received reinforcements in Shaqra city prior to launching an attack on STC positions in Zinjibar, which is located 15 kilometers away and is Abyan governorate’s largest city.

Yemeni authorities gave no details on the results of the attack.

Meanwhile, STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, in a televised speech, called on separatists to declare war against what he described as Islah Party militias and terrorist forces who control the government.

Zoubaidi called on his forces to confront what he described as "brutal aggression," considering that the STC was fighting a "fateful war, in order for the south to enjoy freedom and gain its independence, which it has long fought for."

Local sources stated that the government forces pushed forward from their positions in the "Qarn Al-Classi" area and advanced to the "Sheikh Salem" area east of the city of Zinjibar after fierce clashes with the STC, whom the government accuses of turning on and disrupting the Riyadh Agreement.

Government forces are looking to lock control over Zinjibar city and then advance towards Aden city, STC media reported, adding that separatists were successful in thwarting that effort alongside destroying government heavy-duty equipment.



Weaponization of Food in Gaza Constitutes War Crime, UN Rights Office Says

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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Weaponization of Food in Gaza Constitutes War Crime, UN Rights Office Says

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The UN human rights office said on Tuesday that the "weaponization" of food for civilians in Gaza constitutes a war crime, in its strongest remarks yet on a new model of aid distribution run by an Israeli-backed organization.

Over 410 people have been killed by gunshots or shells fired by the Israeli military while trying to reach distribution sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since it began work in late May, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters at a Geneva press briefing.

The death toll has been independently verified by his office, he added.

"Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food," he said, describing the system as "Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism".

"The weaponization of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime and, under certain circumstances, may constitute elements of other crimes under international law."

Asked whether Israel was guilty of that war crime, he said: "The legal qualification needs to be made by a court of law."

Israel rejects war crimes charges in Gaza and blames Hamas fighters for harm to civilians for operating among them, which the fighters deny.