ADEN: Yemen’s Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher on Sunday accused southernseparatists of attempting a coup in the interim capital of Aden after theytook over the government headquarters.
The premier called on the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthirebels to intervene, hours after fierce clashes erupted between militaryunits loyal to the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi andseparatist security forces.
At least six people, including four from pro-government forces, were killedand dozens wounded in the clashes that spread to most of Aden, securitysources said.
“A coup is ongoing here in Aden against legitimacy and the country’sunity,” Dagher said in the statement.
Security sources told AFP that pro-separatist units trained and backed bythe United Arab Emirates had taken over the government headquarters in Adenafter clashes.
The clashes erupted after separatist protestors were prevented fromentering Aden where supporters of secessionists were gathering for a rallyto demand the ouster of Dagher’s government.
Aden serves as a temporary base for Hadi’s Saudi-backed government asIran-backed rebels took over the capital Sanaa more than three years ago.
A Saudi-led military coalition intervened in 2015 to back Hadi’s governmentin its war against the Houthi rebels.
Ahead of the planned protest, the coalition called for calm and restraintfrom “all Yemeni political and social” parties.
It urged all sides to “adhere to the language of calm dialogue”, accordingto a statement cited late Saturday by Saudi state news agency SPA.
Military and security units from both sides were deployed in the city amidhigh tension.
Universities, schools and the only international airport in the city hadall been closed, according to witnesses.
Dagher said that events in Aden were headed towards “total militaryconfrontation” and urged members of the coalition, in particular the UAE,to take action.
He also warned that separating south Yemen from the rest of the countrywould benefit Iran and the Houthis.
“Iran is trying to consolidate its presence in Yemen through the Huthis andby splitting Yemen, we are giving them one-third of the land andthree-quarters of the population,” Dagher said.
Sunday’s rally was called by the South Transition Council, an autonomousbody aimed at overseeing self-governance among southern provinces.
The 26-member council, which is not recognised by Hadi’s government,includes the governors of five southern provinces and two cabinet ministers.
Former Aden governor Aidarous al-Zoubeidi formed the council in May afterHadi fired him the previous month.