Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman said Aden’s governor and other government members could be counted as detainees due to the role of hegemony played by the UAE forces and their militias in the interim capital of Aden.

In a statement on Facebook, Tawakkol Karman stated the governor of Aden Abdul Aziz al-Muflihi has been not more than a detainee in his headquarters at al-Ma’asheq Palace in the port city of Aden. 

"That is not because of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood, but of being appointed by President Hadi,” Karman explained. 

“Once you are supporter or follower of Yemeni legitimacy, it is enough for the UAE forces and UAE-affiliated militias in the city to make you an enemy who is subjected to be exiled, pursued or even killed if needed.”       

In other rooms of al-Ma’asheq Palace, she continued, there are other detainees, namely the prime minister and some of his government members who have returned to Aden.

Karman noted that the militias backed by the UAE forces have extended their control over all areas, including ports and airports 

She wondered if this is not an occupation, then how it looks like?!?

In recent report, Human Rights Watch has mentioned that The UAE supports Yemeni forces that have arbitrarily detained, forcibly disappeared, tortured, and abused dozens of people during security operations. 

HRW also pointed out that the UAE runs at least two informal detention facilities, and its officials appear to have ordered the continued detention of people despite release orders, and forcibly disappeared people.