The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council has confirmed the arrival of US forces to secure exiled former president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi’s return to the city.
This was reported by Yemen News Portal, based on the testimony of pro-STC activists.
Senior STC activists circulated information confirming the illegal deployment of US Navy units in positions around al-Ma’ashiq Palace, Hadi’s upcoming residence, noting that they now oversee security and technical equipment for the palace buildings for Hadi’s return.
This comes amid reports that Saudi Arabia and the US are making arrangements to eventually get rid of Hadi and transfer his powers to a presidential council.
A regional agreement between the United States, Oman and Saudi Arabia is reportedly set to be announced in the coming period, which would include information about Hadi’s return to Aden in the hope of making a transitional agreement, the activists said.
The activists say that the agreement of the three parties is part of the plan to take Hadi out of the picture by sending him back to Aden, which is currently for the most part held by UAE-backed Southern Yemeni separatists such as the STC. The Southern Transitional Council is known for its opposition to the Hadi administration and any attempt at restoring a unity government over all of Yemen.
The fact that the UAE, one of the main players in the foreign invasion and occupation force against Yemen, has been kept out of the agreement entirely may be part of the Saudi-US plan.
Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi was removed from power by the September 21 Revolution in 2014. Despite originally promising to cooperate with the revolutionary movement’s demands, he eventually rescinded his resignation as president and fled to Aden.
Since 2017, Hadi has reportedly been living in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, where he has been placed under house arrest by Saudi forces and is used as little more than a figurehead.
