Saudi-UAE Efforts Fail to Halt Clashes Between Their Yemeni Proxies
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a joint military delegation from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates recently visited Yemen in an unsuccessful attempt to mediate between their proxy forces.
An informed source reported that UAE-backed mercenaries from the Southern Transitional Council (STC) are refusing to withdraw from the Hadramaut and al-Mahra provinces. During a meeting in Aden, Saudi and Emirati officials urged STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi to pull back his forces, but he declined the request.
Over the past several days, UAE-backed fighters have seized control of parts of southern Yemen. Recent reports indicate that at least 77 fighters loyal to the self-proclaimed, Saudi-backed Yemeni government were killed or wounded in attacks by UAE-backed mercenaries in Hadramaut province. This offensive resulted in the UAE-backed forces gaining control of Yemen’s largest province.
Military officials from the self-proclaimed Yemeni government condemned the attacks as unjustified attempts to destabilize Hadramaut, resulting in 32 deaths, 45 injuries, and the disappearance of several officers. They also accused the UAE-backed fighters of killing wounded soldiers and prisoners.
In December, the mercenaries seized Sayun, the second-largest city in Hadramaut province, during a major offensive against government forces. After taking control of Hadramaut, the separatists moved towards and established a presence in al-Mahra province. On Friday, Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Saudi-backed council, left Aden, the center of the self-proclaimed Yemeni government, for Saudi Arabia in protest of these actions.
Yemen is currently divided into northern and southern regions. The northern part is controlled by Ansarallah forces, while the southern part is under the control of the self-proclaimed Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia. The United Nations recognizes this government as the legitimate “Government of Yemen.” The Southern Transitional Council, backed by the UAE, has been an ally of the Saudi-backed government in the fight against Ansarallah.
Tensions between the Southern Transitional Council and the self-proclaimed government in southern Yemen have escalated in recent weeks, leading to military clashes.
