Southern Yemen forces shoot down 'Houthi drones' flying over presidential palace in Aden

Southern Yemen forces shoot down 'Houthi drones' flying over presidential palace in Aden
Suspected Houthi drones were shot down after flying over Al-Mashiq Presidential Palace in Aden.
1 min read
18 March, 2021
The STC shot down three drones [Getty]
Suspected Houthi drones were shot down by pro-Yemeni government forces after appearing briefly above the presidential palace in the de-facto capital Aden on Thursday morning.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) said it also shot down three drones in the Khormaksar district - a hilly area in Aden that was once used as a military base by British forces.

Witnesses told The New Arab’s Arabic language service, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, that heavy gunfire was heard in the Sirah district, where the presidential palace is located.

No group claimed responsibility for the drones but activists close to the Yemeni government accused the Houthi group of being behind the operation.

It comes months after the targeting of the unity government on 30 December as the delegation arrived at Aden airport, leaving at least 26 people dead.

The attack comes just two days after the presidential palace came under siege by protesters, angered by a public sector pay dispute.

Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and his ministers were forced to take refuge inside the building as the protesters temporarily occupied the palace.

Government workers and retired soldiers blame the government for delays in salary payments, sparking Tuesday's unrest.

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