Saudi Arabia Hosts Prominent UAE-Backed Militia Commander in Strategic Yemen Move
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Saudi social media accounts have circulated images showing Abu Zar’a al-Mahrami, a prominent commander of UAE-backed mercenaries in Yemen, meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Al-Mahrami, a key figure in the UAE-affiliated Southern Transitional Council (STC), had previously opposed Saudi Arabia’s deadline for Emirati forces to withdraw from Yemen before reversing his position to support Riyadh’s actions in the conflict.
The visit marks a significant step in Saudi efforts to counter UAE influence in Yemen, coming just days after Tariq Saleh, another UAE-aligned figure, traveled to Riyadh for meetings with Saudi officials. The diplomatic maneuvers follow recent Saudi airstrikes targeting STC positions in Yemen’s eastern Al-Mahra province, where UAE-backed forces maintain a strong presence.
