Khasrouf warns: Dera Al-Watan forces are Salafist Hardliners

ADEN, Feb. 05 (YPA) – A senior military commander in the forces of pro-Saudi-led coalition government has warned of the repercussions of Saudi Arabia’s decision to form the the so-called “Dera Al-Watan forces” (Shield of the Homeland) composed out of Salafist forces.

Major General Mohsen Khasrouf, former director of the Moral Guidance Department in pro-coalition government , said in televised statements: “Bashir al-Subaihi, who was appointed commander of the Presidential Leadership Council of these forces, is a radical Salafist. He is one of al-Wadi’i’s disciples and had no military status before.”

He added: “Saudi Arabia established the Dera Al-Watan forces on a sectarian identity and this is a really dangerous.”

Khasrouf continued: “Saudi Arabia recently discovered that the UAE wants to replace it strongly in Yemen and elsewhere, so it worked to establish this force and trained it in Sharurah.”

E.M