A prominent leader of the Islah Party who stood accused of terrorism has suddenly returned to the Saudi-led coalition-held Hadhramaut province in eastern Yemen.
Salah Batis, one of the leaders of the Islah Party, said in a statement that “The time of dependence, surrender and submission is gone forever,” referring to the fact that Hadhramaut will not be affiliated with the UAE-funded Southern Transitional Council (STC).
“Soon the world will hear Hadhramaut’s voice of truth, pride and dignity,” added Batis, who is also considered the head of the Yemeni community in Turkey and often resides in Istanbul, after his visit to the headquarters of the First Military Region in Wadi Hadhramaut.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Batis, after arriving at Seiyun Airport, discussed with the leadership of the first military region the need to confront the STC militia, which seeks to control the region for their separatist agenda.
Batis’ return came in defiance of the STC, with military tensions between the militants of the Islah Party and the STC militias reaching a boiling point.