At least two explosions occurred Wednesday, December 30, at Aden airport when a plane carrying the new unity government arrived in the provisional capital of warring Yemen, an AFP correspondent noted.

At least two explosions erupted, he said, when the plane landed and officials started exiting the plane.

A security source told Reuters at least 5 people were killed and dozens injured. 

Members of the cabinet, including Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik, as well as Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Said al-Jaber, were safely transferred to the city's presidential palace, Saudi witnesses and media said.

A unity government formed to close ranks 

This new unity government bringing together pro-power and southern separatists was formed on December 18 under the aegis of Riyadh, with the hope of closing ranks to fight the Houthi rebels in the war-torn north of the country. .

These two camps, which contested for power in the south, have remained in principle allies for six years against the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran and who have seized a large part of the north of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

Deep divisions in the anti-Houthi camp had erupted in recent years between government supporters and southern separatists, who accuse them of corruption and connivance with Islamists.

Saudi Arabia brokered a power-sharing deal in the South and had been trying for more than a year to form a new unity government to keep the coalition united against the oncoming Houthis. Marib, the last stronghold of government in the North.

Six years of war and humanitarian crisis

For the past six years, the war in Yemen has pitted government forces, supported since 2015 by a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran and who have taken control of much of the north. from the country.

The country, the poorest in the Arabian Peninsula, is plunged into the worst humanitarian crisis in the world according to the UN, with a population on the brink of famine and threatened by epidemics.

With AFP and Reuters

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