Rifts between southern separatist factions in Aden have augmented over the past few months, and the separatist fighters have repeatedly opened fire on each other.
Local sources said the latest armed clash occurred Sunday between two secessionist factions in Al Sheikh Othman district of Aden.
The clash broke out Sunday between fighters under the command of Muhsen Alwali, the commander of the Security Belt in Aden, and fighters led by Musleh Aldurhani, a police commander. The two individuals belong to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council.
According to the sources, Alwali-led fighters attempted to capture an officer called Ahmed Alraghwa, who was accused of many issues.
However, Aldurhani led fighters sided with Alraghwa and objected to his arrest. Subsequently, the clashes between the two sides erupted. The armed confrontation left four civilians injured, according to local sources.
While the STC has grown powerful over the past six years, old disputes have revived, and such disagreements may lead to its dismantling. About two weeks ago, dozens of armed men from Yafa’a tribes gathered in the Al-Tawahi district in Aden, accusing STC political, military, and security leaders of plundering their lands and insulting their tribes. Yafa’a tribe is one of the largest in Yemen and is considered the second pillar, after Dhale, on which the STC relies.
One of the leaders affiliated with the Yafa’a tribe said in an audio recording obtained by Sheba Intelligence,” We must prepare to strike with an iron hand to discipline Shalal’s followers.” Shalal Shayea is the former Aden security director affiliated with the Al-Dhalea tribes.
Another example of friction between the separatists happened on November 21 during the STC Presidency meeting. Sources said the meeting was halted for hours after mutual threats of liquidation between leaders in the Council. The members who quarreled belonged to the Al-Dhale tribes and the Yafa’a tribes.
The STC was established in 2017 and has taken over several southern provinces, aspiring to gain independence from North Yemen. While the STC’s military strength and political influence have considerably grown over the past few years, the