Aden (South24)

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Earlier today, a Southern military commander was killed after an explosive device attack targeted a civilian vehicle he was riding in, in the Al-Fayoush area of Lahj Governorate, north of the capital, Aden. 

Shortly after the attack, a security source informed South24 Center that Colonel Sultan Al-Subaihi, a battalion commander in the Southern Giants Brigades, had been injured by an explosion that completely burned his car, and was immediately transferred to a hospital.

However, a South24 medical source later reported that he succumbed to his injuries and passed away, after having his foot amputated. 

Another security source reported that civilians were also injured in the explosion, which occurred in the middle of a main street near a local market.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is believed to be related to Colonel Al-Subaihi's efforts to combat drugs, weapons, and illegal goods smuggling in Lahj Governorate. 

In recent months, Al-Subaihi led a security campaign in the coastal strip of Lahj Governorate, where illegal goods flow to, as part of a broader initiative by the Southern Giants Brigades.

Late Friday evening, violent clashes erupted between Southern forces and Houthi militias on multiple fronts northwest of Al-Dhalea Governorate. According to a South24 correspondent, the Southern forces repelled an infiltration attempt by Houthi militias using heavy and medium weapons.

In Aden, hundreds of protesters demonstrated, demanding information on the fate of Ali Ashal Al-Jaadani, a Southern officer kidnapped on May 12 yet still unreleased.

The Supreme Security Committee in Aden accused Brigadier General Yasser Al-Maqtari, director of the Counter-Terrorism Service branch in Aden, and others of being behind the kidnapping and declared them wanted for justice.

According to a South24 correspondent, security personnel fired into the air to disperse protesters in the Khormaksar district’s parade square.

Yesterday, the Security Committee in Aden warned against exploiting the kidnapping case for political agendas and decided to ban any demonstrations.

A senior security source told South24 Center that affiliates of the Houthi and Islah parties supported the demonstrations in Aden to pressure the Southern Transitional Council. 

Later on Saturday evening, the Security Committee said that a soldier and a citizen were killed and a third was injured by gunmen who infiltrated the demonstrators.

The Security Committee in Aden said that it had monitored some of these elements and that they were being pursued.

The committee added that it stands with all humanitarian issues, including the case of Ashal, and that it supports the right to peaceful protest within the legal framework.