Pro-UAE commander killed in Abyan

ABYAN, June 23 (YPA) – A military commander loyal to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) militias was killed in battles against forces loyal to Hadi’s government and al-Islah party in Abyan province , southern Yemen, military  sources reported

According to the Military sources, Saleh Zain al-Mashali, the staff of officer of the 1st Support Brigade, was killed during clashes with Hadi’s forces east of Zinjibar city.

Fighting between al-Islah militants and the STC’s militias in Abyan resumed on Tuesday morning, after the coalition declared a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Hadi’s forces said they had made gains in the STC’s areas, noting that they had stormed a camp in Ja’ar and reached the village of al-Ja’adi in the directorate, which is the second most important city in Abyan.

On the other hand, the STC denied any progress made to Hadi’s forces on the ground.  It also media quoted a military source as saying that Hadi’s forces pushed 70 military pickup vehicles to Mount Sawid overlooking Zinjibar city in order to launch a military operation, but it was countered.

E.M