Dozens of Emirati military vehicles carrying members of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) militia have been seen heading to Al-Saeed junction, south of Ataq city, the provincial capital of Shabwah province, media loyal to the Saudi-led coalition reported.
The media sources stated that the military mobilisation of the UAE towards the oil areas of Shabwah is aimed to launch a military operation against the militants of the “First Military Zone” in Hadhramaut valley.
Other sources stated that the forces were sent to Shabwah for the purpose of enhancing security in the areas witnessing a tribal movement against the UAE.
However, military observers considered that the Emirati military mobilisation towards Shabwah is due to the coalition’s intentions to escalate militarily against forces of the National Salvation Government in the areas towards Bayda province.
This comes in light of an existing stalemate in the political negotiations as a result of the coalition’s refusal to pay the salaries of employees from the revenues of sovereign oil and gas resources.
