Barran Press
The Ministry of Youth and Sports in the recognized Yemeni government reported on Monday, August 12, 2024, that Minister Naif Al-Bakri met with "Aden's Flowers," young girls who were preparing to participate in the ministry's celebration of International Youth Day, after the event was disrupted by "elements outside the law."
According to a statement released by the ministry's media, which "Barran Press" reviewed, "Al-Bakri reassured the young girls after the panic and fear they experienced due to the storming of the hall, the chaos, the vandalism, and the disruption of the event by irresponsible elements."
The statement added that "Al-Bakri spoke with the girls, calming their nerves after some of them broke down in tears due to the fear they felt during the storming of the hall and their inability to perform the musical pieces they were preparing for the celebration."
The Minister of Youth and Sports honored the girls from Aden schools with a financial reward and hosted a luncheon in their honor. He instructed relevant authorities to arrange a trip to a recreational area in Aden next Saturday, according to the statement.
On Monday morning, armed militants loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stormed the celebration for International Youth Day, organized by the youth sector of the recognized Yemeni government's Ministry of Youth and Sports.
"Barran Press" correspondent reported that STC supporters stormed a hall where the third edition of the "Active Youth Forum" was being held, claiming that the event was being supported by President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi.
The correspondent explained that the militants, who stormed the "Al-Fakhma" hall, prevented the event from taking place. They chanted slogans against Al-Alimi and Yemeni unity, while also expressing support for a separate Southern state.
The correspondent noted that the forum organizers were taken aback by the sudden intrusion, as this was the third year of the event, which is held publicly and has well-known preparatory committees. The incident effectively halted any youth activities in the capital, Aden.
"Barran Press" obtained video footage showing the militants vandalizing the hall, chanting slogans against the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, and tearing down the event banner, which featured a picture of Rashad Al-Alimi as the official sponsor.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had previously held the "Active Youth Forum" in August 2022, with a pause in the past year. The forum is held annually to coincide with International Youth Day, celebrated on August 12th.