Islah, STC’s reinforcements race to take control of Shabwa

On Jul 21, 2022 5:10 PM

SHABWA, July. 21 (YPA) – Large military reinforcements have arrived in the city of Ataq of the Shabwa province, by the Islah Party and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), to try to take control of the oil-rich province, according to local citizens.

The residents said that the forces, including tanks, armored vehicles, and troop carriers, arrived in Ataq on Thursday coming Marib province.

Emirati influence

UAE-funded al-Amaliqa militia, Giants, withdrew from Bayhan towards Ataq, leaving their areas of concentration in the west of Shabwa.

Some sources famailier with the matter said a large force of al-Amaliqa left their positions in the districts of Bayhan, Ain and Usaylan, west of Shabwa, heading to the city of Ataq, the administrative center of the province.

The “Giant Brigades” also withdrew its forces from the outskirts of Harib District, southeast of Marib.

This move comes within the framework of strengthening the Emirati factions in Ataq, as they would be prepared to fight a decisive battle with the Saudi-backed Islah forces.
Meanwhile, Islah’s reinforcements leave Ruwaik camp towards Ataq.

On the other hand, the Islah militia sent military reinforcements from its positions in the Marib province towards the city of Ataq, to support the Special Forces militia led by Abed Rabbo Lakab.

Local sources in Marib said that the Islah militia pushed its elements from Al-Ruwaik and Al-Uqla towards Ataq.

Local residents saw military convoys of the Islah militia heading from the Al-Ruwaik area in Marib through roads of “Ramla” and Al-Uqla oil fields in Shabwa towards the city of Ataq.

Finally, observers interested in the southern issue are waiting for the results of these military moves by the STC and Islah party in Shabwa, which they described as a “matchstick” that would ignite the barrel of dynamite.