(AP) -- An Associated Press journalist heard heavy gunfire in the Khor Maksar district Sunday.

Hadi's forces, which have been at war with Houthis since March 2015, deployed across the city to prevent protests by southerners who want to bring down his rule and separate from the Houthi-dominated north.

The protests are being led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, a former Aden governor backed by the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is a key member of the Saudi-led coalition allied with Hadi's forces, but has had tense relations with him.

(Photo: aljazeera.net)