ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and 23 others injured overnight when Yemeni government forces clashed with anti-government protesters near the presidential palace in the southern port city of Aden, a medical official told Xinhua on Friday.
A senior official at Aden's local health department, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the casualties occurred late Thursday as security forces confronted demonstrators attempting to force their way through the main gate of the Al-Ma'ashiq Presidential Palace, seat of the country's internationally recognized government in the city.
"About 23 injured were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment, and one person was confirmed dead upon arrival," the medical official said, noting that most of the wounded sustained gunshot injuries during the clashes.
The Yemeni government, led by Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani, held its first meeting on Thursday in Aden. The official resumption of government operations was met by opposition rallies organized by southern separatist forces, notably the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
In a statement issued on Friday, the Aden Supreme Security Committee said security personnel acted "in accordance with the law" after protesters tried to enter a restricted zone. The committee said that it would not tolerate "acts of chaos or attacks on security forces."
Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) also defended the government's stance. In a statement carried by the state-run Saba news agency, the PLC warned that "any attempt to attack or disrupt national institutions through street protests would face a firm response," describing such actions as a "blatant assault on constitutional legitimacy and the interests of citizens."
The STC, however, condemned what it called the excessive use of force and live ammunition against demonstrators. The pro-secession group demanded the formation of an independent investigative committee to address the "systematic repression" in the southern provinces.
The STC reiterated that it does not recognize the legitimacy of the newly-formed Yemeni government, saying it does not represent the will of the southern population.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces captured Sanaa and large swathes of the north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 in support of the Yemeni government.
The STC, formed in 2017, seeks self-determination and eventual independence for southern Yemen. Despite joining the Saudi-led coalition and integrating into the PLC in 2022, the group continues to push for southern sovereignty, leading to recurring disputes over power-sharing and control of resources. ■