Anwar Eshki: Aden clashes suggest separatist revival

Dr. Anwar Eshki, head of the Middle East Centre for Strategic and Legal Studies in Jeddah and a former General, has described recent clashes in Aden as a demand for independence in an interview with Russia’s Sputnik. 

According to Eshki southern separatists seek a revival of their their cause in the context of impeding negotiations. Eshki did not rule out the removal of the current Yemeni government. He went on to assert that the Arab alliance wanted to preserve  a “unified Yemen” but within a “federal union” in a way that would satisfy southerners’ desire for administrative independence.

He pointed out that the UAE had helped southerners to get rid of the terrorist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda and thus helped to reunite the south.

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Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi issued a statement on Sunday ordering his forces to cease fire immediately in the southern city of Aden. This is the first major development since the forces of the UAE-backed Transitional Council took control of the internationally recognized government headquarters, after bloody confrontations with the government army forces represented by the Presidential Security Forces.

Hadi said that his decision came after consultation with the Saudi-led Arab alliance.

The clashes broke out after the Presidential Security Forces prevented pro-separation demonstrators from setting up rallies inside the parade grounds in Khormaksar.

During the clashes, the UAE-backed separatists took over the headquarters of the internationally recognized government in Aden on Sunday.

The figures indicate that 15 people were killed in the clashes, three civilians and 12 soldiers and armed men form the two sides.