UPDATE - Yemeni government forces impose curfew in Aden

UPDATES WITH DETAILS

By Shukri Hussein and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Yemeni government forces on Wednesday imposed a nighttime curfew in Aden, the country’s temporary capital.

The curfew starts at 9 pm local time (1800GMT) on Wednesday until 6 am local time (0300GMT) on Thursday, the Giants Brigades said in a statement, hours after they took control of Aden International Airport from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces.

“The imposition of a nighttime curfew in Yemen’s temporary capital, Aden, is part of efforts to enhance security and stability,” it added.

Media reports earlier said that government forces affiliated with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council moved toward Aden, shortly after the STC said its leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, was still in the city.

Aidarous was sacked by Yemen’s presidential council early Wednesday for alleged high treason after his forces seized control of the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra. The government forces recaptured the two areas earlier this week.

Last week, Saudi Arabia accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of pushing STC forces to carry out military operations along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadhramaut and Mahra. Abu Dhabi denied the accusation.

On Friday, Zubaidi announced a two-year “transitional phase” that would include dialogue with parties in southern Yemen and a “referendum” on the future of the south.

The STC says successive Yemeni governments have marginalized southern regions politically and economically and calls for secession. Yemeni authorities reject the claim and reaffirm their commitment to the country’s unity.