Recent shifts in Aden, southern Yemen, have sparked questions about the city’s capacity to recover. After years of armed conflict and political divisions, Aden’s role as a vital economic center and the presence of state institutions have been severely weakened.
Following rapid developments in the eastern governorates of Hadramout and al-Mahra, some government-aligned forces have entered the city. These developments saw the Southern Transitional Council (STC) lose military influence after its offensive earlier this past December. The STC briefly controlled areas in eastern Yemen.
A History of Conflict
Aden has been at the heart of Yemen’s pivotal events throughout the last century and the first decades of the 21st. From British colonialism to the revolutions of 1962 and 1963, the events of January 1986, and the summer war of 1994, Aden has witnessed critical moments in Yemen’s history.
Since early 2015, Aden has been a major battleground. The city saw intense fighting following the advance of Houthi forces and those loyal to the late President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Resistance forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, regained control in July of that year.
Hopes Dashed
While there were hopes for a new beginning in Aden – declared the country’s interim capital by then-President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in March 2015 while Sanaa remained under Houthi control – the city descended into security chaos. Assassinations of officials, party leaders, and mosque imams became commonplace. Political and military tensions destabilized the government in the interim capital, negatively impacting security and public services.
Battles and Divisions
In January 2018, Aden transformed into a battleground between government forces and armed formations affiliated with the STC, which called for the government’s overthrow. This resulted in numerous casualties and marked a turning point in the conflict between the government and the STC, which advocates for southern secession.
The future of Aden remains uncertain. Whether it can truly recover and reclaim its former status remains to be seen, contingent on lasting peace and political stability.
