Aden: Arrangements for the second phase of removing the camps have been completed
Security and military sources in the interim capital, Aden, announced the completion of all necessary arrangements to begin implementing the second phase of the plan to relocate military camps and combat units from within the city to their new deployment locations in the suburbs and designated areas outside residential zones. This significant step culminates a series of intensive meetings held by the Supreme Security Committee and military leaders, aimed at strengthening security and normalizing conditions in the city, which serves as the headquarters of the legitimate government.
This step is of paramount importance within the broader context of the Yemeni situation, as it constitutes a crucial part of implementing the military and security provisions of the Riyadh Agreement, sponsored by Saudi Arabia to unify ranks and end military tensions in the southern governorates. This measure primarily aims to eliminate armed presence within residential areas, a pressing popular and societal demand that has resonated for years, given the disruption to public order and the dangers posed to civilians by military camps located within cities during times of conflict.
Historically, since its liberation in 2015, Aden has suffered from a duality in security decisions and the haphazard proliferation of military barracks within urban areas, which in the past led to armed clashes that negatively impacted the city's stability. Therefore, the transition to the second phase of removing military camps represents a pivotal turning point in the city's modern history, establishing a new era in which security within the city rests exclusively with specialized security and police forces, while military units focus on their combat and defensive missions on the front lines and in strategic locations outside the city.
On the economic and developmental front, observers expect this measure to have tangible positive effects. A stable security situation and the absence of military presence in the city are essential prerequisites for attracting local and foreign investment and restoring commercial and tourism activity to its previous levels. This step also strengthens the confidence of the international community and UN organizations in the ability of state institutions to enforce law and order, thus facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid and sustainable development projects needed by the interim capital and neighboring governorates.
Regionally and internationally, this move enjoys strong support from the Arab Coalition and the international community, who view the stability in Aden as a model to be replicated and a necessary step toward creating a conducive environment for any future comprehensive peace negotiations. The success of this phase will pave the way for further structural reforms within the military and security institutions, thereby enhancing the prospects for peace and stability throughout Yemen.
