Aden, Yemen — Pro-government forces aligned with Yemen's internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) imposed a nighttime curfew in Aden, the country's temporary capital, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The measure came hours after these forces, including the Giants Brigades, took control of Aden International Airport and other key sites from troops loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group.
The curfew, effective from 9:00 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Wednesday until 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Thursday, was announced by the Giants Brigades in an official statement. It described the imposition as part of broader efforts "to enhance security and stability" in the city. This development marks a significant escalation in the longstanding rivalry between Saudi-backed government forces and the STC, which has controlled much of southern Yemen since 2018.
According to reports, the Giants Brigades assumed control of the airport following the withdrawal or pullback of STC-affiliated units. Similar shifts occurred at other strategic locations, including entrances to the city and possibly the Maashiq Presidential Palace. No major clashes were immediately reported during the takeover, suggesting a relatively orderly transition of control, though residents expressed concerns over potential violence.
This latest episode stems from a deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the two main external backers in Yemen's complex civil war. The conflict, which began in 2014 when Houthi rebels seized Sanaa, has fragmented the country into competing spheres of influence. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government, but alliances have frayed over time. The STC, formed in 2017, seeks greater autonomy or independence for southern Yemen and has received substantial support from the UAE, while remaining nominally part of the anti-Houthi coalition.
Tensions flared dramatically in late December 2025 and early January 2026. Initial disputes centered on flight restrictions and airport operations in Aden. On January 1, 2026, flights at Aden International Airport were halted amid accusations that STC-aligned officials were defying Saudi-imposed limits on routes, particularly to the UAE. The government accused the STC of restricting access, while separatist forces claimed the measures were in response to Saudi overreach. This led to a multi-day suspension of commercial flights, stranding passengers and disrupting aid deliveries.
By January 4-5, some flights resumed, but political frictions persisted. The crisis peaked when STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi reportedly failed to attend scheduled crisis talks in Riyadh. Sources from the Saudi-led coalition claimed Zubaidi "fled" or went into hiding, prompting accusations of treason from the PLC. In response, the coalition launched limited airstrikes targeting alleged STC positions in southern Yemen. The PLC also expelled Zubaidi from its ranks and initiated military reshuffles, including sacking the Aden governor and appointing new commanders to secure the city.
The Giants Brigades, commanded by Abdulrahman al-Muharrami—a PLC member—played a pivotal role in the rapid securing of Aden. Described as Salafi-influenced and Saudi-supported, these forces have grown in prominence within the anti-Houthi alliance. Their deployment to key institutions underscored the government's determination to reassert authority in the south without immediate large-scale fighting.
Residents of Aden, a port city of over one million people, have endured repeated cycles of instability. Once a British colony and briefly the capital of independent South Yemen until unification in 1990, Aden has been the seat of the recognized government since the Houthis overran Sanaa. However, STC control since clashes in 2019-2020 has created a de facto division. The 2019 Riyadh Agreement, brokered by Saudi Arabia, aimed to integrate STC forces into government structures but has been repeatedly violated.
The curfew announcement reflects fears of unrest. While some reports indicated STC units withdrawing without resistance, others noted heightened alerts and deployments. Pro-government sources described the situation as stable following the takeover, but separatist officials warned of potential backlash. No confirmed casualties from the day's events were reported, though the airstrikes elsewhere raised broader alarms.
This intra-coalition strife complicates efforts to counter the Iran-backed Houthis, who control northern Yemen and have intensified attacks on Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Gaza. A UN-brokered truce largely held through 2023-2025, but recent southern developments risk diverting resources from the northern front.
International reactions have been cautious. The United States, which designates the Houthis as terrorists, has urged de-escalation while continuing strikes against Houthi targets. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg called for dialogue to prevent fragmentation. Analysts warn that a full breakdown between Saudi and UAE proxies could prolong Yemen's war, already one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions facing famine and displacement.
As of late Wednesday, the curfew was in effect, with checkpoints reinforced across Aden's districts. Residents were advised to stay indoors unless for emergencies. Further developments are expected, including possible extensions of the curfew or negotiations to avert wider conflict.
The situation remains fluid, with pro-government forces consolidating gains and STC responses unclear amid reports of leadership disarray.
