Saudi military reinforcements arrive in Mahra amid tensions with UAE over strategic port
MAHRA, April 27 (YPA) -Saudi military reinforcements have arrived in Mahra province in eastern Yemen on the border with the Sultanate of Oman.
Local sources in the governorate reported that Saudi Arabia reinforced the “Dera Al-Watan” factions—groups were established from extremist Salafist militias in the Qishn District, located along the Arabian Sea—with dozens of military vehicles and patrols.
The reinforcements, which arrived yesterday evening, came from Saudi territory via Al-Wadiah border crossing, amid widespread local rejection .
The Saudi reinforcements to Qishn came as a part of the conflict with the UAE, which had shifted its focus from the districts of Hadhramaut to Mahra in an effort to take control of the strategic Qishn port.
Abu Dhabi has been attempting to gain control of this port for several years through an investment company called “AJHAM,” based on a secret agreement with the government loyal to Saudi-led coalition. This agreement was reportedly facilitated by the “Minister of Transport” in the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council in July 2021.
The people of Mahra have rejected the UAE’s plans, which aim to turn the governorate’s coastline on the Arabian Sea into foreign military bases under the pretext of investing nearly 100 million dollars to establish a commercial port for mining activities in the Ras Shrowain area, which is rich in limestone and other minerals, while the company’s capital is only 20 million dollars.
This comes after Saudi Arabia deployed extremist Salafi groups in in Mahra and established Qishn as their center by founding what is called “Dar Al-Hadith” in 2018.
Riyadh tightened its grip on the region after taking control of the Nishtun Port in late 2017 and converting Al-Ghaydah Civil Airport into a joint military base with American, British, and—according to statements by Sheikh Ali Salem Al Huraizi, head of the anti-foreign forces sit-in committee in Mahra province.
@E.Y.M