Hadi forces launch drone strikes against STC’s positions in Abyan

ABYAN, Oct. 5 (YPA) – Fierce fighting broke out between UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC ) militias and forces loyal to Hadi’s government in southern Yemen’s Abyan province, local sources reported on late Sunday, media sources reported on Monday.

According to the sources, the fighting took place in east of Zinjibar city, casualties of both sides have been reported.

Forces loyal to the Islah party have reportedly bombed the STC’s positions, using drone aircraft .

Mohammed al-Naeedb, spokesman for the STC in Abyan, said two drone aircraft dropped projectiles at their forces’ positions in the coastal sector, adding that the air strikes coincided with artillery and missing attacks along the battle front lines in Abyan.

He confirmed that the STC has  responded to the latest attack, which came hours after Hadi’s government  announced that its force thwarted  an advancing attempt by the STC. militias towards the Al-Tarya front.

The two sides have been engaged in daily confrontations for nearly three months, but the use of drone aircraft in attacks is the first since Hadi’s factions, backed by Turkey and Qatar, brought the system into the scene months ago.

These developments coincide with the continued pressure of the coalition on Hadi and The STC to implement the military part of the Riyadh agreement, which includes the provisions for disengagement in the fronts of Abyan before the formation of the new government expected to be announced next week, which indicates that the parties reject this step.

E.M