UAE-backed separatists send more troops to fill void after Saudi withdrawal from Shabwah

UAE-backed separatists send more troops to fill void after Saudi withdrawal from Shabwah

The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) has sent four new brigades to the Abyan front after Saudi forces began withdrawing from Shabwah province.

According to local sources, the STC carried out a large-scale deployment to strengthen its military presence in the Sheikh Salem Front and the Qarn al-Kalasi front in the past few hours.

The sources explained that the movements of the STC in Abyan came after the departure of Saudi forces from the city of Ataq in Shabwah in the early hours of Monday.

Islah Party activists on social media denounced the military escalation of the STC in Abyan, describing  it as  “a dangerous step that threatens the Riyadh Agreement and undermines the security and stability of the province.”

Earlier on Monday, Military Spokesman for the STC militia, Mohammed al-Naqib described the withdrawal of Saudi forces from Shabwah as “a step in the right direction”.

Saudi occupation forces have recently started withdrawing from Shabwah province, abandoning their allies and mercenaries. Sources claim this decision was caused by the advance of the Yemeni forces of the National Salvation Government and a growing internal conflict amongst the Islah Party.