The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), has prevented on Thursday its military and security commanders to leave for Saudi Arabia despite then receiving an official invitation.
This was reported by Yemen News Portal, based on testimonies of well-informed sources.
According to sources in Abyan, STC leader Aidarous Al-Zubaidi instructed the Director of Security and the commanders of the brigades present in Shabwa and Abyan not to leave until further notice.
Saudi Arabia had invited the brigades’ commanders stationed in Abyan and Shabwah for rearrangement after the departure of Islah Party factions.
Through the upcoming arrangements, Saudi Arabia is seeking to rebalance Islah and STC in southern Yemen.
The STC’s rejection of the Saudi invitation comes at a time when its militia continues to impose a fait accompli through political appointments that ensure its dominance over military brigades in the area, especially those that used to be affiliated with the Islah Party.
Al-Zubaidi had earlier rejected the decision of appointing new commanders of his brigades while directing further decisions within the ranks of his opponents.
