Fierce fighting breaks out in Abyan

ABYAN, June 21 (YPA) – Fierce fighting broke out on Saturday between forces loyal to Saudi-backed government and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) militias in Abyan province, southern Yemen, local sources said.

According to the sources, all kinds of heavy and medium-sized weapons were used in the fighting amid a decline in the Hadi and al-Islah forces.

The STC militias were able to foil a violent attack launched by Hadi forces, causing heavy losses in equipment and lives.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Interior in Hadi government mourned death of the police chief of Zinjibar district in the same province.

According to the sources, the police chief Sabri Ali, was killed in clashes that broke out between the Saudi-backed Hadi forces and the UAE-funded STC militias in the district.
The sources confirmed that Sabri was killed after a mortar shell landed near his whereabouts during the fighting, and his body was removed and transported to the coastal city of Shuqrah.

Moreover, the coalition-backed forces have suffered another big lose in their military ranks.
First Lieutenant Mustafa Awadd al-Rahwa, commander of the Guard of Brigadier General Sanad al-Rahwa, commander of the First Presidential Protection Brigade, was killed in Sheikh Salem area of Abyan during battles between the UAE-backed militias and the Saudi-backed Hadi’s forces on Friday.

Nevertheless, Hadi’s forces said in a statement that they had made progress on the borders of Zinjibar and Ja’ar districts, the largest city in Abyan province.

In the past few hours, Hadi’s forces have fought the fiercest battles in an attempt to seal the battle of Abyan just before advancing to Aden.

Tribal sources revealed that Hadi’s forces have pushed more reinforcements from Marib and Shabwah, expecting progress on this front not by the fighting but in accordance with the Riyadh agreement to hand over the STC Aden in exchange for the Saudi concession of Socotra to the UAE.

E.M