Aden (South24)

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The Somaliland-based network "Saxafi Media" reported on Saturday (June 21) that the Somaliland representative office in Aden was raided prior to the detention of the Somaliland Representative to Yemen, Idriss Adam Rage. The network noted that Somaliland authorities are currently contacting Yemeni officials to secure his release.

Somaliland media outlets had previously reported on Friday (June 20) that Rage has been held by Yemeni authorities in Aden since June 13, amid demands from his family to disclose his location and clarify his legal status.

In a statement published by the family, they stated that Rage was "abducted by Yemeni authorities and their allies" on June 13. They confirmed that direct communication with him has been cut off and that no accurate information regarding his condition is available, except for reports indicating he is being held at a Yemeni security center.

According to Somaliland reports, Rage's family also emphasized that he was unable to communicate with his lawyer during investigations. Meanwhile, Yemeni authorities have not yet issued any official statement regarding the case or the circumstances of his detention.

The South24 Center attempted to contact security authorities in the capital, Aden, to obtain a comment on the matter, but received no response up to the time of publication.

According to Saxafi Media reports, the detention may be linked to a Somaliland National Day celebration held in Aden on May 18.

The reports said the event drew prominent figures associated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a major political and military force in South Yemen.

Somaliland press accounts also said the former flag of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, or South Yemen, was displayed during the gathering. Yemeni authorities, however, have not publicly confirmed whether the event had any connection to the detention.

Neither Somaliland officials nor Yemeni authorities have publicly commented on the reported link.

The case also gains additional sensitivity in light of the security and political shifts witnessed in Aden over recent months, with rising tensions between the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Riyadh, and a decline in the presence of STC-linked Southern Forces across the security landscape.

Yemen does not officially recognize the State of Somaliland. However, official documents issued by Somaliland indicated that it has had representation in Yemen since 2016.

Recently, Israel recognized the State of Somaliland, becoming the first UN member state to do so. However, this recognition was condemned by some Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, which has come to dominate the political scene in South Yemen.