Mercenary infighting in Shabwah renewed

SHABWAH, June 20 (YPA) – Armed clashes on Thursday renewed between Saudi-led coalition rival militias in Ataq city of Shabwah province, eastern Yemen, local sources told Yemen Press Agency.

According to the sources, the mercenary infighting has been reportedly broken out on Wednesday night between Saudi-backed militias and UAE-backed militias ( the Shabwami Elite forces) in the city of Ataq, capital of the southern province of Shabwah on a dispute over latter efforts to assert control over the provincial capital and expel forces loyal to Saudi Arabia.

This move is a part of Abu Dhabi’s attempts and proxies, to complete control of all province of southern Yemen.

On Monday, at least five mercenary militia members were injured on Monday, including three soldiers from the forces of the 21st Brigade belonging to the leader of the Islah Party, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, in Shabwah province, local sources told Yemen Press Agency.

According to the sources, clashes broke out between the Shabwah Elite militias, funded by the United Arab Emirates, and soldiers from the 21st Brigade in Merkhah district, after UAE-backed militias attempted to take control of the oil pipeline in the Eibilat and Marwha areas of the same district.

The clashes came after the UAE militia took control of oil sites and fields that used to be under control of Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar’s forces.

The UAE occupation militia deployed extensively at the entrances to the capital city of Shabwah and set up a number of checkpoints in the city’s streets.

The UAE’s occupation militia is known for seeking to control oil sources and fields in southern Yemen, often by funding and training armed militias in order to implement its agenda.

E.M