Turkey ‘concerned’ about clashes in Yemen’s Aden

By Kubra Chohan

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey on Monday said they are “concerned” about clashes between government forces and southern separatists in Yemen’s coastal city of Aden.

“We call for respect for the legitimate government of Yemen and avoidance of any steps that may further complicate the settlement of the ongoing crisis in the country,” said a Foreign Ministry statement.

“We believe that lasting peace and stability in Yemen can be achieved by the restoration of the legitimate state authority across the country through finding a political solution based on the established parameters, including the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement said.

It added: “We reiterate that Turkey will continue to support the peace, stability and territorial integrity of Yemen, stand with the legitimacy, and remain in solidarity with the brotherly Yemeni people.”

Around 36 people have been killed and 180 injured in the ongoing clashes between the two sides, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Yemen fell into civil war in 2014 when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa, forcing Yemen's Saudi-backed government to set up an interim capital in Aden.