Entire battalion defects from Hadi forces in Lahj

LAHJ, Jul. 20 (YPA) – A battalion in the 17th Infantry Brigade loyal to Hadi government has defected and announced its accession to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) amid a frantic conflict fueled  by the UAE and Saudi Arabia between the STC militias  and Hadi forces in southern Yemeni city of Aden and others provinces .

Military sources said that a battalion consist of about 500 soldiers led by Lt. Col. Mustafa Sheikhan al-Subhi had announced its defection and  join the STC militias .

The 17th Infantry Brigade led by Lahj Governor in Hadi government Major  Genral Ahmed Abdullah Turki.

The defection of the battalion came amid purchases of loyalties and raced to strengthen military positions in Lahj between the two sides of the conflict, the sources said.

The defection came at a time when the Lahj province has witnessing  great tension in the number of directorates of Tur Al-Bahah Al Madaribah Wa Al Arah between Hadi’s forces and Islah militants on the one hand, and the STC forces on the other.

E.M