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• Reports indicate that clashes between armed groups occurred in Aden’s Crater District during the late morning and afternoon hours of October 2. 
• Reports also indicated that Southern Transitional Council (STC)-affiliated forces have sent reinforcement to the area on October 2.
• An unconfirmed report indicates that mortar shells have landed in residential areas in the district’s Jabal Hadid area, located approximately five km south of the Aden International Airport.
• During the afternoon hours of October 2, the official account of the Aden Governorate issued a statement instructing residents of the Crater District to stay at their homes as “Aden security forces and anti-terrorist forces are clearing the city of some terrorist groups.”
• Unconfirmed reports indicate that fighting is ongoing between members of STC-linked forces.

1. The current emerging reports come after several days of riots by protesters in the Crater District, in which STC-linked forces reportedly used live fire intermittently to disperse protesters. The current reports indicate that tensions in the city have currently devolved into armed clashes between armed forces in the city, potentially within the STC umbrella. This highlights the deterioration of the security environment in Aden and an increased risk to civilian operations in the city, particularly in the Crater District.
2. That mortar shelling and clashes also occurred in areas of northern Crater District, in relative proximity to the Khormaksar District and the Aden International Airport, further points to the risk of collateral damage being recorded in these areas of the city. FORECAST:  As reports on clashes are still emerging, armed clashes are still likely to be recorded in the area over the coming hours. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that clashes will spill over to additional areas around Aden city over the coming hours and days.

1. Those operating or residing in Aden city on October 2 and over the coming hours and days are advised to avoid all travel to the Crater District and all areas south of Aden International Airport, due to the security-related incidents in the area. 
2. It is further advised to minimize nonessential movement in Aden city as a general precaution due to the current volatile security situation.