The Aden unrest refers to initially ongoing conflict between Islamist factions, such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's Yemen Branch, against the loyalists of president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and later to conflict between UAE-backed and Saudi-backed factions within the coalition. In 2017, fighting also broke out between factions aligned with different members of the Saudi-led coalition namely Saudi Arabia-backed Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Al-Islah and UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council and Southern Movement.
Attacks and incidents during 2015
On October 6, 2015, terrorists incidents broke out when a group of ISIL fighters targeted a motel which housed the Vice President and Prime Minister of Yemen, and served as the military base for the Arab Coalition and the Yemen Army units loyal to the president Hadi, killing 15 Hadi and Saudi loyalists. 2 ISIL suicide bombers blew themselves up too. Although the Houthis were first suspected behind the attack by Yemeni Transport Minister Badr Basalma, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility later.
On 13 October, UAE counter terrorism units arrived in Aden in response of the terrorist attacks of October 6. At the same day, another 300 Sudanese troops arrived in Aden.
On October 26, a suicide bomber exploded in central Aden killing two Southern Resistance troops. No group claimed responsibility.
At the end of October, AQAP overran some neighborhoods inside Aden, recruiting fighters, and imposing Sharia law.
On November 1, ISIL fighters attacked and captured a government media building in Tawahi district, killing on the same day two intelligence officers in the central Aden.
On November 4, some Popular resistance fighters attacked the presidential palace with president Hadi son inside, with Emirate soldiers stopping the attack without casualties. The resistance fighters said that they attacked to protest three months of unpaid salaries. On November 18, Bahrain troops arrived in Aden to assist the coalition against the armed groups.
On December 3, Saudi officials said that they would train over 12,000 popular resistance fighters to fight around and in Aden.
On December 6, Yemeni Major General and Aden governor, Jaafar Mohammed Saad, was killed along with six of his bodyguards in a suicide bombing. The attack was claimed by ISIL. On the same day, ISIL gunmen killed 4 Yemeni government fighters, and assassinated the judge Mohsen Alwan, who was investigated the USS Cole bombing. Also on the same day, unknown gunmen killed an energy official, and two security officers.
On December 23, unknown gunmen, believed to be AQAP assassins killed the popular resistance colonel Jalal al-Awbali in his car in northern Aden. No group claimed responsibility.
Other incidents during 2016
On 1 January 2016, Hadi loyalists attacked and killed an AQAP commander who traveled from Abyan to Aden. The AQAP leader named Ali Abed al-Rab bin Talab killed along the three of his bodyguards during the attack.
On January 18, a suicide bomber exploded outside of Aden's security director's home, the Brigadier General Shalal Ali Shayyeh, killing four of his bodyguards and injuring many bystanders. On the same day, unknown gunmen killed a judge in the street.
On January 19, Aden's governor banned motorbike use because of the many killings in the type of shot and running.
On January 23, unknown assailants killed a man and his father belonging in the Shia sect of Dawoodi Bohra. Four others kidnapped some days before belonging to the sect, but three of them have released with another one to remain in captivity.
On January 28, an ISIL suicide car bomber blew himself outside the home of president Hadi, killing 6 loyalists and injuring another 11. Hadi was inside in his home at the time, but survived the attack unharmed.
On 12 February, AQAP fighters attacked and killed five Hadi loyalists guards in their posts in Basateen area of Aden.
On February 16, Governor of Aden Aidarus al-Zubaidi and Brigadier General Shalal Ali Shayyeh, escaped an assassination attempt on their lives after suspected ISIL fighters attacked their convoy in central of Aden. Three assailants killed, with another two bodyguards and civilians to be wounded during the gun battle.
On 28 February, unknown gunmen killed Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Adani, a pro-Hadi influential moderate Salafi cleric, well known for his rejection on Al-Qaeda and ISIL. No group claimed responsibility.