Yemeni Government Warns of Action as Tensions Rise Over Aden Access Restrictions

Dubai – The Yemeni government has accused southern separatist forces of imposing restrictions on movement into the port city of Aden, escalating tensions within the fragile anti-Houthi coalition.

Officials warned they would take all necessary measures to restore access and authority, signaling that the dispute remains volatile despite renewed talk of dialogue.

The accusations were directed at the Southern Transitional Council, a UAE-backed group that controls significant areas in southern Yemen and has long sought autonomy.

Government representatives said the alleged restrictions effectively cut off Aden, Yemen’s temporary capital and its most important southern port.

They also claimed to have received reports of arrests taking place within the city, further raising concerns about civilian movement and safety.

The Southern Transitional Council strongly denied the allegations, insisting that movement in and out of Aden remained normal and that the city was stable.

Separatist officials described the government’s claims as a distortion of facts and rejected suggestions that checkpoints were being used to restrict civilians.

Despite these denials, residents in areas surrounding Aden reported the presence of armed checkpoints operated by separatist fighters.

The renewed accusations come just days after government forces said they had regained control of Mukalla in Hadramout province, a strategic eastern region.

That advance followed clashes that have reignited an internal power struggle within the coalition formed to fight the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

The feud has exposed deep divisions between regional backers, with Saudi Arabia supporting the internationally recognised government and the UAE backing southern separatists.

Yemen has remained divided since 2014, when Houthi forces seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Gulf-led intervention the following year.

Since then, the country has been split into zones of control, with Aden serving as the main seat of government outside Houthi-held territory.

Government leaders, however, left Aden earlier last month after separatist forces took control of the city, relocating to Saudi Arabia.

A senior government official said any dialogue with the separatists would only begin once Aden was fully secured under state authority.

This position reflects lingering distrust despite regional efforts to promote negotiations as a way to end the latest round of fighting.

Complicating matters further, Aden airport was closed last week following a dispute over flights between the city and the United Arab Emirates.

Both the government and the separatists accused each other of responsibility for halting air traffic, highlighting the depth of the standoff.

Flights were partially resumed on Sunday, according to travelers and airport officials, offering limited relief to stranded passengers.

The situation also drew international attention after reports emerged of flights being redirected to Yemen’s island of Socotra.

The internationally recognised government has called on Saudi Arabia to host a forum aimed at resolving the southern issue.

Riyadh agreed to host the talks and extended invitations to various southern factions in a bid to ease tensions.

The Southern Transitional Council welcomed the initiative, suggesting that negotiations may ultimately be unavoidable.

Analysts say the brief but intense conflict has underscored the fragility of alliances in Yemen’s long-running war.

Government forces, supported by Saudi air power, have continued operations in eastern Yemen, consolidating recent territorial gains.

As diplomatic efforts proceed, the situation in Aden remains a key test of whether dialogue can overcome years of mistrust and competing ambitions.