Infighting Erupts in Aden as PLC Factions Block Armed Forces Entry

ADEN, Yemen — Violent infighting erupted within the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) on Wednesday as factions controlling the southern port city refused to allow withdrawing coastal forces to enter Aden with their weapons. The standoff, which began shortly before noon local time, has created a tense security situation in the interim capital, raising fears of a broader collapse in the fragile unity government's hold on the south.

The conflict centers on a strict prohibition imposed by Aden-based PLC members against armed units attempting to move into the city. Controllers of the strategic port have blocked access points, citing security concerns and demanding that withdrawing coastal forces disarm before crossing city limits. The coastal units, however, insist they must retain their weapons for protection during the withdrawal process, leading to a direct confrontation between the two sides.

The incident marks a significant escalation in internal tensions within the PLC, which was formed to unite Yemen's warring factions against Houthi control. While the council has maintained a tenuous grip on southern territories, this dispute highlights deep fractures regarding command structures and security protocols. The refusal to allow armed entry into Aden disrupts planned military maneuvers intended to consolidate government positions along the coast.

Residents in Aden reported hearing sporadic gunfire near the city's main checkpoints as tensions flared. Local authorities have not yet issued a formal statement clarifying the extent of the violence or the number of casualties, though emergency services were seen moving toward the affected zones. The blockade has effectively halted the movement of troops and supplies, leaving coastal units stranded outside the city perimeter.

Negotiations appear to be stalled as neither side shows immediate signs of backing down. Aden controllers maintain that allowing armed groups into the city would compromise public safety and undermine their authority. Conversely, representatives for the coastal forces argue that disarming in the field would leave them vulnerable to attack by rival militias or Houthi proxies operating in the region.

The dispute leaves several critical questions unresolved regarding the future of the PLC's military strategy. It remains unclear whether the blockade will be lifted, if a third-party mediator will intervene, or if the standoff will trigger wider armed conflict across southern Yemen. As of Wednesday afternoon, no ceasefire has been announced, and the status of the withdrawing forces remains in limbo.