Yemen begins removing military camps from Aden to assert state control

Yemen's army initiated a major plan on Monday to remove military installations from urban areas, starting with the evacuation of a prominent camp in the interim capital, Aden. This action marks a decisive step by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) to assert exclusive state control over armed forces and dismantle parallel military structures, beginning with the strategically located Jabal Hadid base.

First Step in a Broader Security Plan

According to Brigadier General Abu Khaled Mohammed al-Turki, chief of staff for the Third Giants Brigade, the operation involved the complete withdrawal of personnel, weapons, and ammunition from the camp. "The practical implementation of the plan began today in Aden," he stated. The vacated facility was subsequently handed over to a Facilities Protection and Security Force unit, signaling a transition from a military garrison to a civilian-controlled site. Officials describe this as the initial phase of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate armed presences within the city.

A Strategic Site and a Political Statement

The Jabal Hadid camp holds significant strategic importance due to its elevated position overlooking critical districts and its proximity to vital infrastructure, including the presidential palace and Aden's international airport. For years, it served as a power base for forces loyal to Aidarus al-Zubaidi, the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Its evacuation is therefore a powerful political statement aimed at curbing the influence of groups operating outside the formal chain of command of the Yemeni state.

Leadership Reaffirms Monopoly on Force

Separately, PLC head Rashad al-Alimi reinforced the government's stance during a meeting in Riyadh. He declared that Yemen "would not allow the emergence of any military or security entities operating outside the framework of the state," emphasizing the critical need to consolidate the state's exclusive control over all weapons. This policy follows recent military actions where government forces recaptured the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra from STC fighters, reclaiming nearly half of Yemen's territory.

Regional Context and Türkiye's Perspective

This push for centralized military authority occurs within the complex landscape of the Yemeni civil war and the involvement of the Saudi-led coalition. For Türkiye, which supports Yemen's territorial integrity and a unified political solution, the consolidation of state institutions is a positive development. Ankara views a strong, sovereign Yemeni government as essential for regional stability and for countering threats that could spill over into vital international waterways like the Red Sea, where Türkiye has significant strategic interests.