Flights at Aden Airport Suspended Amid Rising Tensions in Yemen
Flights Suspended Due to Tensions Between Separatist Groups and Internationally Recognized Government
Flights at Aden International Airport in Yemen were suspended on Thursday amid ongoing tensions between the Southern Transitional Council (STS), a separatist group, and the internationally recognized Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia. Reuters reported that all flights were halted at the airport, but further details regarding flight operations and potential resumptions remain unclear.
The STS is formally part of the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting against the Houthi takeover of large parts of Yemen since 2015. However, the STS is seeking to establish a separate state in southern Yemen and expanded its military operations in the Hadramout and al-Mahra regions in December, moving closer to the border with Saudi Arabia, leading to a rapid escalation of tensions.
Saudi Arabia has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—part of the anti-Houthi coalition—of fueling the STS and encouraging the separatist group to expand into Hadramout and al-Mahra, which Riyadh claims threatens its national security. The UAE has denied these allegations, insisting that it supports Saudi security. Nevertheless, the UAE agreed to the demands of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and Saudi Arabia to withdraw its troops from Yemen, while the STS has refused to pull back from Hadramout and al-Mahra.
On Thursday, the Transportation Ministry affiliated with the STS within the internationally recognized government stated that the suspension of flights from the airport resulted from Saudi Arabia imposing new requirements stating that flights to and from Aden Airport must be inspected in Jeddah. The ministry expressed being "shocked" by this decision, adding that Saudi authorities later clarified that the restriction applies only to flights between Aden and the United Arab Emirates.
A Saudi source denied, in a statement to Reuters, that they were involved in restricting flights, asserting that the internationally recognized Yemeni government, led by the Presidential Leadership Council, is responsible for the inspection requirement applied to flights to the UAE. Yemeni presidential advisor Thabet al-Ahmadi confirmed to Al Jazeera that a requirement had been imposed on a flight route departing from Aden Airport to prevent money smuggling by the STS. Al-Ahmadi emphasized that the government does not support a complete halt of flights, adding that they want air traffic to proceed without hindrance.
Earlier this week, the UAE announced it would voluntarily withdraw its last "anti-terrorism" forces from Yemen after Riyadh stated it had struck a weapons shipment linked to the UAE in the port city of Mukalla. On Wednesday, Rashad al-Alimi, the leader of Yemen's internationally recognized government, warned that any moves by the STS to strengthen its position in provinces would have severe consequences. The STS remained defiant, stating it would continue to maintain control in the provinces, as spokesman Mohammed al-Naqeeb announced that the group is coordinating movements with the Forces of the Homeland Shield, which was the primary security force in the provinces before the STS offensive.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when Houthi forces took control of the capital city, Sanaa, continuing to control large parts of the northwest of the country, while the STS and government contest southern and eastern regions.
