Security authorities in Abyan province, southern Yemen, announced on Friday, August 2nd, 2024, their rejection of a directive issued by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) leadership, which aimed to prevent protests and restrict the movement of demonstrators demanding information about the missing Colonel Ali Ashal Al-Jaadani.

In a memo obtained by Barran Press, the Abyan Security Directorate condemned the STC's labeling of Abyan protesters as "suspicious elements," emphasizing their full support for the demonstrators' demands.

The Abyan security authorities further stated that they were suspending any communication with the security committee in the capital Aden and would not obstruct any peaceful demonstrations expressing opinions on the fate of Colonel Ashal. They added, "It is unbecoming for higher authorities to call the people of Abyan 'suspicious elements,' and we firmly reject this."

Earlier, the STC leadership issued a directive to all military units to prevent any public demonstrations in the provinces of Abyan , Aden, and Lahj, aimed at demanding information about Ashal, who has been missing for months.

The Supreme Security Committee warned against organizing protests in Aden following the announcement of a planned million-man march on Saturday by the family of the abducted and missing Colonel Ashal, demanding his whereabouts and the apprehension of those involved in his kidnapping.

The committee claimed that "the protests could be exploited to spread chaos, especially in this critical stage, where other parties, according to confirmed information, aim to create problems," it said.

On Thursday, the Abyan Security authorities held the Presidential Leadership Council and the STC leadership responsible for apprehending the main perpetrators of the kidnapping of Colonel Ashal after they left the country.

In a statement received by Barran Press, the Abyan Security Directorate pointed out that the leadership of both councils could exert pressure based on the coercive arrest warrant that was issued, to bring them to Aden to face justice, emphasizing that this had become "inevitable and a popular demand."

The statement also urged the Saudi-Emirati coalition to directly intervene to uncover the fate of Colonel Ashal, as it is the primary responsible party for the liberated areas.

According to the statement, the Abyan Security leadership announced its support for the family of the missing Ashal, particularly the Al-Jaadani tribe, and all the free and honorable people of the south in general, through their legitimate and non-politicized peaceful demands guaranteed by law and religion, reaffirming its support for the "Ashal Million March" scheduled for August 3rd.

In response, the Abyan Security leadership urged the security agencies in the capital Aden and the Supreme Security Committee under the leadership of the Defense Minister to protect the protesters from the people of Abyan and all the people of the south, who, it said, would be coming in tens of thousands to the parade ground on Saturday.

On Thursday, the Aden Security Director, Major General Muthar Al-Shaibi, announced the results of the investigation into the kidnapping of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Ashal Al-Jaadani, who was abducted on June 12th in the city of Aden, declared the temporary capital of the country and under the security control of the Southern Transitional Council.

Al-Shaibi, in a filmed press briefing obtained by Barran Press, mentioned the names of the main suspects in the case, stating that coercive arrest warrants had been issued against them: "Yisran Al-Maqtri, Samer Al-Jandab, Ahmed Zidan, Samih Al-Norghi, Tamam Al-Batta, Bakil Mukhtar, and Mahmoud Al-Hindi."

He stated that the commander of counter-terrorism in Aden, Yisran Al-Maqtri, and his deputy, Samer Al-Jandab, fled the country two days after the kidnapping of Ali Ashal Al-Jaadani, on June 16th.

Regarding the fugitives, Al-Shaibi explained that "the Interior Minister was contacted to request Interpol's assistance in apprehending and handing them over to the national authorities."

He indicated that the names of the aforementioned suspects were circulated to all land, air, and sea ports, as well as to all governorates, for their arrest and handover to the official authorities in Aden Governorate.

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

They called on the Presidential Leadership Council, the Government of National Unity, 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-Jaadani and secure his release.

The tribes state that Al-Jaadani was kidnapped in the city of Aden, declared the temporary capital of the country, on June 12th, and his whereabouts remain unknown.