UAE-backed militia tightens grip on Al Mahfad city

ABYAN, Oct. 09 (YPA) – The UAE militia on Saturday completed its full control over Al Mahfad district in Abyan province, southern Yemen.

Local sources confirmed that the “Security Belt” militia coming from Dhalea and Radfan areas, led by Hussein Mohammed al-Rabedh, has deployed in the city of al-Mahfad, during the past hours, as part of the Emirati military operation “Siham al-Sharq” launched last month to take control over positions of Islah militants in Abyan.

The same sources pointed out that dozens of military vehicles entered the city of Al-Mahfad within the scenario of handing over the southern provinces to the Southern Transitional Council (STC)’s militia demanding the return of Yemen to before May 22, 1990, with the support and funding of the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

According to the sources, elements of the Shabwa defense militia stationed in the Al-Aram area will travel on Sunday to Al-Mahfad to reinforce their control over the city.

This comes amid reports that two of the UAE-backed militias were wounded after two IEDs exploded, the first one at the eastern entrance to Al Mahfad district and the second next to the government compound.

E.M