Al-Jazeera field sources confirmed the death toll in the clashes in Aden, south Yemen between the UAE-backed security belt and the presidential protection forces since last Wednesday, to 23 people, including ten civilians.
According to the sources, the security belt forces heavily bombard the presidential palace in the Maasheq area from within the residential neighborhoods in Crater, while members of the palace guard strongly respond to the sources of fire.
Meanwhile, the security belt forces in Khor Maksar district managed to control Jabal Hadid completely, while fierce clashes are taking place near Badr camp, which is still under the control of the legitimate Yemeni government forces in light of the desperate attempts of the security belt forces to control it.
The security forces had seized control of the Fourth Brigade camp in Dar Saad, north of Aden, after fierce battles with the brigade forces.
Behind the president
Meanwhile, Yemeni Defense Minister Mohammed al-Maqdashi and Army Chief of Staff Abdullah al-Nakha'i confirmed that the military establishment is behind President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
In a joint cable, they described what was happening in Aden as a coup against state institutions by "those who lost their interests."
Al-Maqdashi and Al-Nakha'i vowed that the army would strike with an iron hand to all those who begged him to violate Yemen's security, stability and unity.
For its part, said the fourth military zone of the army that the events of Aden - which I described as a coup - serve only the Houthis and extremist elements.
In a statement, it called on the leadership of the Saudi-UAE alliance to quickly put down the coup and restore normalcy.
Commitment to homes
In a related context, the Ministry of Interior called on civilians in Aden to remain in their homes and away from the sites of armed confrontations between government forces and gunmen of the Transitional Council.
An official source in the ministry told Yemen News Agency that it is keen on the safety of civilians by providing security in all areas and districts of Aden.
The source renewed the call of the Ministry of Interior to all armed groups, which he described as out of order and law, to arbitrate reason and withdraw from the streets, and stop tampering with the lives of civilians and public and private property and disturb public tranquility.
The Ministry of Interior indicated that the State and its security and military services will not tolerate their duty to protect civilians and property and provide security in Aden.
It is noteworthy that the deteriorating situation in Aden and the escalation of clashes led to the transfer of flights from Aden Airport to Sayun Airport in Hadramout, as well as the closure of most shops and interests and disrupted the movement of the population.