Yemen Coast Guard Clarifies Aden Incident, Urges Formal Channels for Disputes

The Yemeni Coast Guard has issued a statement clarifying the security circumstances surrounding an incident of gunfire and tension near its headquarters in Aden's Al-Tawahi district, asserting that internal conditions are stable and operational tasks continue without interruption.

The authority explained that the situation arose when a committee, dispatched by the Ministry of Interior accompanied by reinforcements, military vehicles, and armored personnel carriers, arrived to implement an official directive. Department directors informed the committee members of explicit high-level instructions to halt the decision and suspend all related procedures.

Despite the Coast Guard leadership welcoming the committee members' entry for inspection, while emphasizing that military vehicles remain outside the premises to preserve the institution's corporate identity, some accompanying military personnel attempted to forcibly enter the headquarters and fired shots into the air. This action created tension outside the main gate before the force withdrew from the location.

The Coast Guard statement indicated that the inability to contact the Minister of Interior at the time, due to his communication channels being closed, led the authority to handle the situation based on existing high-level directives, respecting the administrative and legal hierarchy and ensuring institutional stability.

The authority expressed deep regret over the repercussions of these ill-considered events, which resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled official visit by the ambassador of a friendly nation that evening, as well as the suspension of specialized training courses conducted with international experts. It stressed that the Coast Guard's work involves sovereign and vital tasks that necessitate adherence to organizational frameworks and joint coordination to protect the institution's reputation and international cooperation programs.

The Coast Guard concluded its statement by affirming its absolute commitment to institutional work and directives from higher authorities, emphasizing that any administrative discrepancies must be resolved through official and legitimate channels to uphold the dignity of state institutions and enhance maritime security for the Republic of Yemen.