Saudi-backed forces raid homes of STC-affiliated military personnel in Aden

ADEN, Oct. 26 (YPA) –  Saudi-backed forces have raided the homes of several military personnel affiliated with the dissolved Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Aden, amid a wave of abductions targeting civilians in the city and other areas under their control.

Human rights sources in Aden said members of the Security Belt forces, led by Jalal al-Rubaie, raided several homes in recent hours, including those of Colonel Ali Othman Fadel al-Mansab, Lieutenant Hayyan Mohammed Othman, and the late Mahmoud Hassan Zaid al-Bakri in the al-Ahliya neighborhood of the Crater district.

The sources said the armed personnel stormed the homes by force, terrorizing women and children and ransacking the properties.

The raids have also extended to Lahj, Shabwa and Hadramout governorates, targeting in particular STC supporters who oppose Saudi influence, the sources said.

The operations are reportedly being carried out under the pretext of searching for weapons caches allegedly held by “sleeper cells.”

The sources added that the campaign had also led to the abduction of dozens of civilians, including people from northern Yemen who own or work in shops in the affected areas.

They said the abductees were being accused of wrongdoing and pressured to pay money in exchange for their release.

The sources further alleged that armed faction leaders accuse civilians of spying for the Sanaa government to extort large sums of money. Those who refuse to pay reportedly face the closure of their shops.

@E.Y.M