At least one person was killed and 11 others injured when Yemeni security forces fired on protesters linked to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) who tried to storm the al-Maashiq Presidential Palace in Aden, an Al Jazeera correspondent reported.

The incident occurred Thursday during the first session of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, led by Prime Minister Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani, amid opposition demonstrations. Footage obtained by Al Jazeera showed several wounded individuals at the site.

The Aden Governorate Security Committee said security forces responded lawfully to armed protesters attempting acts of sabotage and warned against any attacks on personnel.

The STC, backed by the United Arab Emirates, claimed at least 21 people were wounded, condemning the use of live ammunition and calling for an investigation. The group urged the international community to act against “systematic repression” in southern Yemen.

Earlier, the STC had controlled Aden and much of southern Yemen until a Saudi-backed government offensive pushed them back in January. On Friday, the STC refused to recognise the new government in Aden, calling it a “de facto authority” without political or popular support and warning that any official presence in the south would not bind southern representatives politically.

Yemen has faced ongoing conflict and instability since Houthi rebels seized much of the country, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014. The STC, formed in 2017, seeks independence for southern Yemen.

With inputs from ALJAZEERA