Aden Governor Announces Protection of a Protest Called for by the Dissolved STC After Unenforced Ban Decisions
Yemen Monitor / Aden / Special:
Aden Governor Abdulrahman Sheikh announced that the Security Committee will secure the protest scheduled to take place tomorrow at Al-Oroud Square, which was called for by the dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC), one week after issuing a ban decision that was never enforced.
In a recorded statement published on the local authority’s social media accounts, the governor affirmed the local authority’s commitment to protecting peaceful demonstrations and guaranteeing citizens’ right to express their opinions—an implicit reference to the protests repeatedly called for by the dissolved STC, which mobilizes supporters from several governorates every Friday.
This statement comes after earlier announcements issued by the Aden Security Committee, chaired by Abdulrahman Sheikh, which confirmed a ban on demonstrations due to the current circumstances, unless prior authorization was obtained.
Despite the ban decision, a protest was held last Friday and was marked by tensions. Participants coming from outside Aden were prevented from entering by Giants Forces, in implementation of the Security Committee’s directives banning demonstrations without permits. Nevertheless, the STC went ahead with the event, which was covered by its media outlets and attended by correspondents from foreign television channels who entered the country without official coordination.
Aden governor stated that the local authority and the Security Belt Forces would secure the protest. The mention of the Security Belt came despite the announcement of their renaming to the National Security Forces, and despite the fact that their salaries were paid yesterday with Saudi support—an indication, according to observers, that the change is merely cosmetic.
Governor Sheikh condemned the terrorist attack that targeted Hamdi Shukri, commander of the Second Brigade of the Giants Forces, yesterday, reiterating his commitment to protecting the security and stability of the interim capital.
Since the Nation Shield Forces and the Giants Forces took control of Aden, no changes have occurred within the security apparatus. Since the return of Police Chief Mutahar Al-Shaeibi, meetings have been held with district police chiefs without addressing the Security Belt formations, or what has come to be known as the National Security Forces.
Aden recently witnessed a car-bomb explosion targeting the convoy of Uncle Hamdi Shukri, commander of the Second Brigade of the Giants Forces, resulting in the killing of five of his escorts and the injury of others.
