Islah leaders make bold appearance in UAE-held Shabwa

SHABWA, Oct. 06 (YPA) -Senior leaders of the Islah Party, the Yemeni branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, made a bold public appearance in the city of Ataq, the capital of Shabwa province, during a political event marking the party’s 35th anniversary.

The gathering, held earlier this week, comes despite the party’s diminished presence in the province since being ousted from power in 2021 by UAE-backed factions.

The event has sparked criticism among some local activists, who view it as a provocative move amid ongoing tensions.

Critics accused local authorities loyal to the UAE and the General People’s Congress (GPC), known locally as “Afafish” — of suppressing similar political activities by rival groups, including the Saudi-backed Shabwa National Council and Tribal Alliance of Shabwa.

Observers believe the Islah party’s bold reappearance could signal new understandings between formerly rival factions the so-called “7/7 gang”, a term used by southerners to describe former regime loyalists in southern Yemen.

@E.Y.M