Islah militants claim to make progress on frontlines in Abyan

ABYAN, June 24 (YPA) – Saudi-backed forces (Hadi and al-Islah militants) had made new progress on the front lines in Abyan province, southern Yemen, pro-coalition media reported on Wednesday.

According to the media, al-Islah troops stationed in Shuqrah city were able to advance towards the area of Bajadar on the border of Zinjibar.

The sources said large reinforcements had arrived from Marib and Shabwah, most of them tribal gunmen and tanks.

Abyan has been the scene of the fiercest fighting for the past two days as the forces of al-Islah trying to resolved the battle of Abyan for their side.

Fighting has escalated for nearly 40 days as the coalition announced a truce between Hadi and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC)’s militias to a ceasefire and the start of the Riyadh agreement to form a new government.

By intensifying operations in Abyan, the al-Islah is trying to impose control over new areas that give it a political maneuver to empower the new government, especially in light of the recent defeats suffered by its forces in Socotra.

E.M