Coalition gives Al-Qaeda, ISIS opportunity to reinforce their influence in Bayda

SANAA, April 13 (YPA) – Since the beginning of Saudi-led coalition war on Yemen, Al-Qaeda and ISIS have emerged as a partner in the war on Yemen and they have played an important role in many battles, seeking to find areas of influence to be a base and safe haven for its elements.

The coalition often resorted to concluding deals with Al-Qaeda and ISIS, granting them areas of influence in exchange for fighting in its ranks, especially in areas where the battles are intensifying and its armed factions are unable to withstand them.

The last coalition deals with these organizations were in Bayda province, where fierce battles are taking place between the coalition forces and Sanaa forces, in which the latter recorded wide progress.

Bayda is witnessing a large influx of Al-Qaeda and ISIS elements into the province and the establishment of large camps, which confirms the existence of a new deal between these organizations and the coalition. The coalition has intended to hand over large parts of the province to the Al-Qaeda organization to establish its camps in exchange for fighting in the coalition ranks against the Sanaa forces.

On Sunday, April 12 , the Ministry of Interior in Sanaa revealed a large influx of Al-Qaeda elements from the provinces of Abyan and Shabwa to Natea district to reinforce Al-Qaeda forces, after the successive defeats suffered by the coalition forces during the battles in the past days.

This announcement coincided with what was reported by the media, quoting tribal sources, that leader of Serwah front affiliated to Al-Qaeda sent locomotives loaded with weapons to the Al-Qaeda and ISIS stronghold in al-Suma’a, where the Al-Qaeda and ISIS camps are located, after gathering their members there and setting up training camps, command rooms and fortifications during the past weeks.

According to local sources in Bayda, the districts, of Qaifa, al-Suma’a, and Yakla have been turned into autonomous areas for Al-Qaeda and ISIS, with the provision of cover by the coalition and sending more arms shipments from Marib and Aden to the leaders of Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

These districts have turned into a battleground between ISIS and Al Qaeda, as each side seeks to control the other’s spheres of influence, and to obtain more support that the coalition sends to these organizations.

YPA