Yemen separatists reportedly capture govt HQ in Aden

By Fouad Mussad

ADEN (AA) – Yemen’s southern separatists have reportedly captured the seat of the government in the coastal city of Aden after clashes with government forces amid reports of casualties.

Forces loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized the government headquarters in Aden on Sunday after deadly clashes with presidential guards, STC military sources said.

STC forces also broke into the camp of the 3rd Brigade of the Presidential Guards in the city, the sources added on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.

Pro-government military sources, however, said the camp was still controlled by the 3rd Brigade.

Medical sources said around 20 people have been killed and injured in ongoing clashes between the two sides.

Tension has been running high in Aden since the STC called for sacking the government of Prime Minister Ahmed bin Daghr.

The STC accuses the government of starving Yemenis and pushing the country to the verge of famine.

Yemen has been dogged by chaos since 2014, when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa, forcing the Saudi-backed government to set up an interim capital Aden.

One year later, Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies -- who accuse the Houthis of serving as an Iranian proxy -- launched a massive military campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back the Houthis’ territorial gains.