Aden (South24 Center)

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A protester was killed and at least 20 others were injured on Thursday evening (February 19) after heavy gunfire was used to disperse demonstrators gathered outside the gate of Maashiq Palace, the seat of government in the capital Aden, according to medical sources.

The incident came hours after Yemen’s new government held its first meeting in Aden under Prime Minister Shayaa Al-Zindani, amid rising public anger and political escalation led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which opposes the presence of ministers from northern governorates in the city.

#BREAKING

Video: An armored military vehicle next to Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in, Aden, opens fire indiscriminately#south24 pic.twitter.com/vhYpeQZvG7

— South24 | English (@South24E) February 19, 2026

Eyewitnesses said armored vehicles and military patrols were deployed around the palace, and a heavy barrage of live ammunition was fired to disperse the crowd. Medical sources confirmed that around 20 wounded protesters were transferred to nearby hospitals, while one demonstrator later died of his injuries.

#Breaking

Footage documents heavy gunfire against peaceful protesters in front of the gate of Maashiq Palace in Aden#south24 pic.twitter.com/Z9a6dVobxG

— South24 | English (@South24E) February 19, 2026

Witnesses and protesters who attended the rally stated that the Southern Giants Forces stationed at the gate of Maashiq Palace did not initiate the gunfire, noting that another force arrived from the rear of the compound and began firing live rounds to disperse the protesters.

Some participants circulated claims that the force involved may have been Saudi or troops brought in from outside Aden. However, the South24 Center was unable to independently verify these allegations at the time of publication.

#BREAKING

Video footage shows heavy fire from light and medium weapons by Maashiq Palace protection forces in Aden during a protest #south24 pic.twitter.com/2QtjJ5wqME

— South24 | English (@South24E) February 19, 2026

The rally had been organized in response to a call by the STC’s local leadership in Aden for supporters to gather Thursday evening outside the government headquarters to express rejection of what the Council described as the “imposition of northern ministers” within the newly formed cabinet.

In a subsequent statement, the STC’s Aden leadership condemned the shooting, describing it as an “unjustified escalation” against peaceful protesters. Several civil society organizations also denounced the incident, warning that the use of force against demonstrators could deepen public anger and threaten the city’s stability.

The developments recalled events on February 11 in the city of Ataq in Shabwa governorate, where seven protesters were killed and about 43 others injured by security forces during similar demonstrations.

They also follow earlier dispersals of pro-STC protests in Seiyun, Hadramout governorate, which resulted in several injuries.

The decision to reshuffle the government was issued on January 16, forming a 35-member cabinet including eight ministers of state. The STC rejected the formation, stating that it does not recognize it. The cabinet includes ministers from northern governorates, among them Defense Minister Taher Al-Aqili, who is considered affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.