UAE sends additional forces to Shabwa

SHABWA, Jan. 02 (YPA) – Dozens of Emirati military vehicles carrying members of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) militia to Al-Saeed junction, south of Ataq city, the provincial capital of Shabwa province, eastern Yemen, Media loyal to Saudi-led coalition reported.

The media sources stated that the military mobilization of the UAE towards the oil areas of Shabwa aimed to launch a military operation against the militants of the “First Military Zone” in Hadramout valley.

Other sources stated that the forces were sent to Shabwa for the purpose of enhancing security in the areas witnessing a tribal movement against the UAE.

However, military observers considered that the Emirati military mobilization towards Shabwa is due to the coalition’s intentions to escalate militarily against Sanaa forces in the seam areas towards Bayda province.

This comes in light of the existing stalemate in the political negotiations as a result of the coalition’s refusal to pay the salaries of employees from the revenues of sovereign oil and gas resources.

YPA