Armed tribesmen block highway in Yemen’s Aden

By Shukri Hussein

ADEN, Yemen

Armed tribesmen on Thursday continued to block a main road in Yemen’s coastal Aden province for the second day in a row, according to witnesses.

Members of Yemen’s Yafei tribe reportedly blocked the highway to protest a recent decision by local authorities to release several individuals accused of killing one of their number in May.

According to witnesses, tribesmen brandishing heavy weapons -- including anti-aircraft batteries -- used military vehicles to block the thoroughfare.

For the last three years, the city of Aden -- which since 2015 has served as Yemen’s interim capital -- has seen sporadic attacks on security forces, judicial officials and religious figures.

Impoverished Yemen has remained wracked by violence since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa.

By Shukri Hussein

ADEN, Yemen

Armed tribesmen on Thursday continued to block a main road in Yemen’s coastal Aden province for the second day in a row, according to witnesses.

Members of Yemen’s Yafei tribe reportedly blocked the highway to protest a recent decision by local authorities to release several individuals accused of killing one of their number in May.

According to witnesses, tribesmen brandishing heavy weapons -- including anti-aircraft batteries -- used military vehicles to block the thoroughfare.

For the last three years, the city of Aden -- which since 2015 has served as Yemen’s interim capital -- has seen sporadic attacks on security forces, judicial officials and religious figures.

Impoverished Yemen has remained wracked by violence since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa.