Saudi-funded HTA warns of ongoing campaign of arrests by STC in Hadramout

HADRAMOUT, Dec. 16 (YPA) – The Saudi-backed Hadramout Tribal Alliance (HTA) warned on Tuesday of the continuation of the campaign of kidnappings and arrests being carried out by the UAE-funded Southern Transitional Council (STC)’s factions in the province of Hadramout, eastern of Yemen.

In a statement, the HTA confirmed that the elements of protecting companies led by “Ahmed Al-Maari”, with the participation of the “security support” factions, were kidnapping citizens and tribesmen from the roads, intimidating them and taking them to unknown destinations.

The statement said that elements loyal to the UAE were pursuing anyone supporting the autonomy project for Hadramout, which was adopted by HTA in last May.

The statement pointed out that these measures seek to create a reality that threatens the occurrence of a conflict that may lead to an explosion of the situation and threaten the security and stability of the province.

This comes after the HTA issued a statement last Friday confirming that the STC broke into a number of Mukalla hospitals and kidnapped a number of wounded people who were receiving treatment.

On the other hand, Saghir Bin Aziz-headed Chief of Staff of the Saudi-led coalition-backed Aden government in Marib, accused the STC elements of killing 32 officers and soldiers, and wounding another 45 members of the Islah Party-run First Military Zone, while defending themselves during the invasion of Wadi Hadramout areas.

While human rights reports recorded more than 4,071 serious violations carried out by STC elements two weeks after they took control of the Hadramout, including 35 cases of direct murder, 56 injuries, the execution of 7 prisoners, in addition to recording 268 cases of arbitrary kidnapping, the storming of 112 houses and 56 shops, and the forced displacement of about 3,500 people, including families from the northern provinces who have been living in Sieyun city for about 25 years.

AA