As services in Yemen's interim capital Aden continue to deteriorate, security tension mounts between the legitimate government and the followers of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Abyan, Shabwa, and Socotra.

Yemenis hope that Jeddah dialogue would result in normalizing the relation among Yemeni components and unifying efforts to face the Houthi coup.

In this context, local sources and witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that there is a security tension in Abyan, Shabwa, and Socotra.

STC followers accused the legitimate government of repressing Thursday a protest that called for separating south Yemen from its north. They demanded, in a statement, restoring forces known as ‘Shabwani Elite’ to handle security tasks in the province.

One at least was killed and others were wounded by the fire of government forces in Azzan, according to the statement that also accused the government forces of arresting several activists.

STC followers called for the return of ‘Shabwani Elite’ to their previous positions and all the province regions to maintain security, stability and to combat terrorist groups.

Moreover, government sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the legitimate security bodies are carrying out their duties in protecting the government headquarters and maintaining security as well as preventing the spread of chaos.

Field sources in Abyan reported that the government forces were keen in the past weeks to reinforce their military presence in Abyan regions in coincidence with STC forces continuing to foster their presence in regions ruled by them especially in Zinjibar and Jaar.

Yemeni activists told the newspaper that they hoped the ongoing dialogue in Jeddah would progress between the legitimacy and the STC leadership.

According to political sources close to the legitimate government, there is no direct dialogue until now between the parties’ representatives. However, the sources affirmed to the newspaper that there are Saudi efforts that would result in an agreement to end the crisis and guarantee the return of the legitimate government to Aden.