Armed Group Storms Aden Police Station Amid Investigation Controversy

A temporary security crisis erupted in Aden, Yemen's interim capital, on Saturday when an armed group, reportedly led by a former security official, stormed the Al-Mamdarah police station in the Sheikh Othman district. The incident occurred concurrently with ongoing investigations into a child sexual assault case that has sparked widespread public outrage.

Local sources indicated that the gunmen forced their way into the station during the afternoon, assaulting several officers. Security reinforcements were subsequently deployed to the site, successfully containing the situation and preventing further escalation, amidst heightened security measures in the vicinity of the station.

Information circulating suggests that the invading group attempted to access the station's archives and investigation files. This action raised concerns regarding the security of documents pertaining to cases currently under judicial review, prompting security authorities to tighten measures at the location.

This event follows approximately one week after local authorities in Aden suspended the director of the Al-Mamdarah police station, Lieutenant Colonel Jalal Al-Subaihi, in connection with the child sexual assault case. The authorities stated this measure was intended to ensure the integrity of the investigation and prevent any undue influence on the judicial process.

At that time, the local administration affirmed its directive to security agencies and the Public Prosecution to detain all individuals involved or suspected of involvement in the case, and to pursue any parties found to be complicit in concealing or neglecting their duties. The objective was to fully uncover the circumstances of the case and hold those responsible accountable.

The Public Prosecution had previously issued an order for the coercive arrest of Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Saleh Al-Naqib, following the circulation of a video depicting a sexual assault on a child. Authorities indicated that the case was under review at the police station.

The Public Prosecution instructed security agencies to circulate the suspect's name across all air, land, and sea ports to prevent his departure from the country and ensure his apprehension, as part of the efforts to complete the investigation and refer him to court.

As of Saturday evening, security authorities in Aden had not issued an official statement detailing the circumstances of the police station's storming or providing preliminary findings on the motives of the armed group responsible for the attack.