Aden: Local paramilitaries, a rogue general, Al Qaida cells - Aden has become an explosive mix since Yemen’s embattled leader fled the capital to the country’s main southern city.
President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled to Aden last month after escaping house arrest under Al Houthi militia who have seized control of the capital Sana’a.
Western- and Gulf-backed Hadi has vowed to restore his authority from the southern city - the one-time capital of the formerly independent south Yemen - but experts say he is facing a struggle to assert control over his new power base.
The danger was highlighted on Thursday as pro-Al Houthi special forces battled militia loyal to Hadi at Aden’s international airport, leaving at least six people dead, 20 wounded and forcing it to close.
Fighting also erupted in other parts of Aden, including outside the central bank, as special forces commander Abdul Hafez Al Saqqaf deployed his men at points around the city during the night.
Troops loyal to Hadi, backed by the Popular Committees local paramilitary group, control most of the port city, but Al Saqqaf’s special forces continue to take orders from militia-held Sana’a.
Al Saqqaf is known to have links with Al Houthis and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been accused of backing the Shiite militia.
He has a force of up to 2,000 heavily armed men mostly holed up in their base in the centre of Aden, but also controls an area near the airport.
Al Saqqaf recently told local press that he represented a “bastion against Al Qaida,” and that his unit was charged with fighting the militants.
Dormant Al Qaida cells are believed to be operating not far from Aden, as lawless parts of south Yemen provide safe havens for the militants.
The pro-Hadi local militia, the Popular Committees, descended on Aden from their base north in the province of Abyan in January, after the Al Houthis seized key government buildings in Sana’a.
They were welcomed by city authorities and continue to guard vital installations, including the port, radio and television broadcaster, the refinery and main administrative buildings.
Speaking to AFP from a secret location north of the city, the militia’s chief Abdul Latif Al Sayed said they were present to protect Aden from a possible attack by Al Houthis.
“We shall not allow any infiltration by Al Houthi elements,” he said. “I say to them: Stay where you are and do not lead the people into a sectarian war.”
Sayed - who has reportedly escaped seven Al Qaida attacks unscathed - rejected any claims that the city needs protection from the militants.
“Al Qaida no longer has a presence here for them (Al Houthis) to come and fight it, and we are capable of purging our country (of extremists) and protecting it,” he said.
A source close to Hadi said the president is trying to find a peaceful solution with Al Saqqaf, especially as his force occupies a base that lies in a populated area.
He has made several offers to the general, including other posts in the army, but the rebel officer has refused, the source said.
“President Hadi is trying to defuse tension in the city but the main source of tension comes from the attitude of general Al Saqqaf,” political analyst Hussain Saleh said.
Hadi launched this week a campaign to recruit 20,000 southerners into the army and 3,000 men have already responded, according to press reports in Aden.
