Clashes between armed citizens and government forces broke out on Wednesday morning in Twahi district, in the southern port city of Aden.

As a result, a person was killed and two others were injured.

According to local residents, unknown armed men would have broken into a government owned warehouse in an attempt to loot it. The warehouse in question belongs to the Central Security Forces Unit, which led local officials to believe that the men were looking for weapons and military equipments.

As soon as the government forces arrived, guns went off and a fierce battle ensued.

Local residents are saying that the area is still under heightened tension, with dozens of armed youth militants roaming the streets of the neighborhood. The nearby Military Police headquarters added more units as well at the entrance of its building, fearing further attacks on government properties.

Since the beginning of the popular uprising Aden residents have complained of an increase in crimes, ranging from theft to illegal constructions to seizure of state properties for personal gain.

Security analysts are also warning that Aden might be the next al-Qaeda target as it sits directly on the World Oil shipping route with over 3 million barrels of crude oil passing through its waters every day.