Flights from Aden Airport in Yemen Halted Due to Latest Tensions

Flights from Aden International Airport in Yemen were suspended on Thursday due to tensions between the Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatist group and the internationally recognized government in Yemen.

According to reports, all flights at the airport were halted amid continuing conflict between the STC and the Saudi Arabia-backed government. The STC has been part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi takeover since 2015, but it also seeks to establish a separate nation in southern Yemen.

The STC-aligned Transport Ministry claimed that the stoppage was due to new requirements imposed by Saudi Arabia, mandating inspections for flights traveling between Aden and the United Arab Emirates. However, a Saudi source denied involvement in restricting flights, stating that the internationally recognized government led by the Presidential Leadership Council was behind the requirement.

Yemeni presidential adviser Thabet al-Ahmadi confirmed that the government had imposed a requirement to prevent STC money smuggling on one flight route departing from Aden airport. He stated that the move aimed to ensure air traffic continued unimpeded, but did not support a complete halt to flights.

The UAE has denied allegations of arming the STC and encouraging it to expand into Hadramout and al-Mahra provinces bordering Saudi Arabia. The STC has refused to pull back from these areas despite Saudi Arabia’s concerns about national security.

Earlier this week, the UAE announced its withdrawal of “counterterrorism” forces from Yemen. The internationally recognized government in Yemen warned that any moves by the STC to further entrench its position would have severe consequences.

Source: Al Jazeera