A protester was killed and others injured on Saturday, August 3, 2024, when Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces opened fire on demonstrators in the Al-Orod  Square in Khormaksar district of Aden, according to medical sources.

The sources told "Barran Press" that the protester, identified as Mohammed Tabaa from the Al-Haidara tribe in Abyan governorate, was fatally shot by STC forces. Two others were injured in the incident.

Tabaa was reportedly shot in the chest and died at Al-Shifaa Hospital, where he and the other injured protesters were taken. Dozens of protesters were also arrested and taken to police stations and unknown locations.

Since morning, STC security and military formations have been cracking down on participants who gathered from Aden, Abyan, Lahj, and Shabwa to participate in the "Million for Ashal" rally, demanding the release of Ali Ashal al-Ja'adani, a military officer who has been missing since June 12.

Protesters faced heavy fire from various weapons, including medium and light arms, from STC forces, who deployed checkpoints and security barriers on all roads leading to Al-Orod Square.

Those arriving from Abyan, where Ashal hails from, were prevented from entering Aden by vehicle at STC checkpoints in Al-Alam and Dhofous. They were forced to walk to the city.

STC forces have deployed heavily throughout Aden, establishing checkpoints and barriers at entrances to Khormaksar, including the bridge, Al-Rahab roundabout, and Al-Aqil area. They blocked vehicle access to Al-Orod Square.

Earlier today, STC security forces abducted several activists and supporters of the "Million for Ashal" rally from Al-Orod Square and nearby locations.

On Friday, August 2, security authorities in Abyan governorate announced their rejection of the STC's directive to prevent protesters from attending the rally and demanding Ashal's release.

Previously, the STC leadership issued a directive to all military units to prevent any public demonstrations in Abyan, Aden, and Lahj demanding information about Ashal's whereabouts.

The Supreme Security Committee warned against organizing protests in Aden after Ashal's family announced plans to hold the rally on Saturday, demanding his release and the arrest of those involved in his abduction.

Last Thursday, Abyan security forces held the presidential and STC leadership responsible for apprehending the perpetrators of Ashal's abduction after they left the country.

In a statement, Abyan security forces expressed their solidarity with Ashal's family, the Ja'adana tribe, and all the people of the south in their peaceful and non-political demands, which are guaranteed by law and religion. They also affirmed their support for the "Million for Ashal" rally scheduled for August 3.

Abyan security forces called on security agencies in Aden and the Supreme Security Committee, under the command of the Minister of Defense, to protect protesters from Abyan and all other parts of the south who were expected to converge on Al-Orod Square in their thousands on Saturday.

Last Thursday, Aden security director Major General Muthar al-Shu'aibi announced in a press briefing monitored by "Barran Paess" the results of the investigation into the abduction of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Ashal al-Ja'adani, who was kidnapped on June 12 in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen, which is under the security control of the STC.

In a videotaped press briefing, al-Sha'ibi named the main suspects in the case and stated that arrest warrants had been issued against them. The suspects are Yisran al-Maqatri, Samer al-Jandab, Ahmed Zidan, Samih al-Norghi, Tamam al-Bata, Bakil Mukhtar, and Mahmoud al-Hindi.

Al-Sha'ibi said that the commander of counterterrorism in Aden, Yisran al-Maqatri, and his deputy, Samer al-Jandab, fled the country two days after Ashal's abduction, on June 16.

On June 28, Abyan tribes held a consultative meeting in Aden to discuss the disappearance of their son, Major Ali Ashal al-Ja'adani, in Aden. They threatened to escalate if he was not released unharmed and stated that they had the right to retaliate and all options are open.

The tribes say that al-Ja'adani was abducted in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen, on June 12 and his whereabouts remain unknown.