Aden (South24 Center)

On Sunday (January 4), the Southern Transitional Council (STC) denied allegations that it has imposed restrictions on the movement of citizens traveling from northern governorates to the interim capital, Aden, affirming that travel is proceeding normally and without any exceptional measures.

The official spokesperson for the STC, Anwar Al-Tamimi, described claims issued by the office of Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi as a “complete distortion of the facts.”

In an official statement, the STC emphasized that the overall security situation in the southern governorates, where the Southern Government Forces are deployed—most notably in Aden—remains stable.

Al-Tamimi stated that residents of the southern governorates, along with citizens arriving from northern areas, especially those fleeing repression and human rights violations in territories controlled by the Houthi group, are “enjoying safety, security, and full freedom of movement.”

The statement noted that this security environment has prompted more than four million citizens from northern Yemen to settle in southern areas secured by the Southern Government Forces.

The STC further asserted that the timing of these allegations coincides with a deterioration of security conditions across large parts of Hadramout Governorate, including the Wadi, Desert, and Coastal regions, where incidents of looting, armed robbery, and killings have reportedly increased. According to the statement, these areas remain under the control of military formations said to be operating under the directives of Rashad Al-Alimi.

Al-Tamimi also warned that raising the issue of Aden in this manner could serve as a “pretext for fabricating crises and tensions” in otherwise stable areas.

In a related development, the Aden Capital Security Committee issued a statement reaffirming its full commitment to constitutionally guaranteed citizens’ rights, foremost among them freedom of movement and travel. The committee confirmed that the allegations circulated by Al-Alimi’s office are unfounded.

Meanwhile, the South24 Center for News and Studies published exclusive video footage from a major security checkpoint in the Tor Al-Baha area of Lahj Governorate—one of the main entry points to Aden—showing a smooth and uninterrupted flow of citizens and vehicles at 5:30 p.m. local time, with no signs of obstruction or restriction.

#BREAKING
Exclusive South24 video shows smooth movement of northern citizens to and from Aden at Tur Al-Baha checkpoint in Lahij#south24pic.twitter.com/dMXrRV7piE

— South24 | English (@South24E) January 4, 2026

Earlier, Yemen’s official SABA News Agency quoted a source in the office of Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi as claiming that Al-Alimi was monitoring what were described as measures imposed by forces affiliated with the STC to restrict the movement of citizens traveling from several governorates to the interim capital, Aden, including preventing their passage through key city entrances.

The source alleged that such measures constitute a clear violation of the constitution and a breach of the transitional framework, particularly the Riyadh Agreement.