The security authorities in Abyan Governorate (southern Yemen) stated on Thursday, August 1st, 2024, that the security agencies in Aden and Abyan have concluded their investigation into the kidnapping of Sheikh Ali Ashal al-Ja'adani, apprehending numerous individuals involved in the kidnapping and those who provided logistical support.

The Abyan Security Directorate, in a statement received by "Barran Press," stated that "the relevant authorities have been contacted to bring the accused through Interpol, via an official memorandum issued by the Minister of Interior."

The statement added that "the main perpetrators of the kidnapping of al-Ja'adani have left the country, and the responsibility for their apprehension has shifted from the security agencies to the relevant authorities."

The statement further argues that "the moral and legal responsibility has now fallen on the leadership of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Southern Transitional Council, as they are the entities capable of applying pressure based on the arrest warrant issued to bring them to Aden." It emphasizes that this action "has become imperative and a popular demand that cannot be avoided."

In the same vein, the Abyan Security Directorate called for "intervention from the Arab coalition," stating that "it has a direct responsibility to contribute to revealing the fate of Colonel Ashal, given its technological and logistical capabilities on land, sea, and air, and as the primary responsible party for the liberated areas."

The Abyan Security expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by the security establishment in Aden and Abyan, stating that "these joint efforts between the security agencies in Abyan and Aden have resulted in uncovering the details of the case and identifying the perpetrators of the kidnapping of Colonel Ali Abdullah Ashal al-Ja'adani."

According to the statement, the Abyan Security leadership announced its solidarity with the family of the missing Ashal and the Ja'adana tribe in particular, and with all the free and honorable people of the south in general, through legitimate and non-political peaceful demands guaranteed by law and religion." It affirmed its support for "the 'Million for Ashal' rally scheduled to be held on August 3rd."

In light of this, the Abyan Security leadership called upon the security agencies in the capital Aden and the Supreme Security Committee under the leadership of the Minister of Defense to protect the protesters from the people of Abyan Governorate and all the people of the south, who it said would be arriving in their tens of thousands at the Al-Qura'a Square on Saturday.

Earlier today, the Director of Aden Security (southern Yemen), Major General Muthar al-Shu'aibi, announced the results of the investigation into the kidnapping of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Ashal al-Ja'adani, who was kidnapped on June 12th in Aden, declared the temporary capital of the country and under the security control of the Southern Transitional Council.

Al-Shu'aibi, in a videoed press briefing received by "Barran Press," named the main suspects in the case, stating that arrest warrants have been issued against them. These individuals are: "Yisran al-Maqtari, Samer al-Jandab, Ahmed Zidan, Samih al-Nuraji, Tamam al-Batta, Bakil Mukhtar, and Mahmoud al-Hindi."

He stated that the commander of counterterrorism in Aden, "Yisran al-Maqtari," and his deputy, "Samer al-Jandab," fled the country two days after the kidnapping of "Ali Ashal al-Ja'adani," on June 16th.

Regarding the suspects who fled the country, al-Shu'aibi explained that "the Minister of Interior has been contacted to request Interpol's assistance in apprehending and extraditing them to the national authorities."

He indicated that the names of the aforementioned suspects have been circulated to all land, air, and sea ports, and to all governorates, for their apprehension and handover to the official authorities in Aden Governorate.

On June 28th, the Abyan tribes held a consultative meeting in Aden to discuss the disappearance of their son, Colonel Ali Ashal al-Ja'adani, in Aden city. They threatened to escalate the situation if he is not released safe and sound, stating that the right to respond is guaranteed and options are open.

They called upon the Presidential Leadership Council, the unity government, the Southern Transitional Council, and the leadership of the Arab coalition to intervene urgently to disclose the location of the kidnapped Colonel Ali Abdullah Ashal al-Ja'adani and secure his release.

The tribes assert that "al-Ja'adani" was kidnapped in Aden, declared the temporary capital of the country, on June 12th, and his fate remains unknown.