Southern leader accuses Saudi Arabia of bringing terrorists to Mahra

SANAA, March 12 (YPA) – Head of the southern National Salvation Council Ahmed Qahtan has accused Saudi Arabia of bringing terrorists to Mahra province, eastern Yemen.

“Saudi Arabia is trying to rule Mahra by chaos and instability, and to establish a subordinate authority that works to implement its agendas,” Qahtan, the former security director of Mahra, said during an interview with Without Borders program broadcasted by Al-Jazeera TV channel.

He pointed out that the Saudi forces and their military formations in Mahra had established 25 camps and points, whose mission is to harass citizens and prevent fishermen from hunting and other arbitrary practices.

Qahtan added that the people of Mahra would not resort to violence unless they are forced to do so, in reference to the continuation of Saudi forces in ignoring their legitimate demands.

The National Salvation Council’s head affirmed that “Riyadh is trying to drag the province into armed conflict, and seeking to control the land and sea ports that represent the only lung from which Yemenis breathe, not only the people of Mahra.”

Qahtan also threatened to target the Saudi forces that are trying to control the border Shahin crossing with the Sultanate of Oman under the pretext of fighting smuggling, considering this pretext as a false claim.

YPA