Tension escalated between UAE-backed factions in Abyan

ABYAN, Nov. 18 (YPA) – The district of Ja’ar, in Yemen’s southern Abyan province, has been witnessing a military tension between the UAE-backed, which confrontations are likely to break out between them.

Informed sources confirmed that the commander of the “Security Belt Forces” in Abyan, Abdul Latif Al-Sayed, mobilized dozens of militias to the Jaar area, after Salafi groups from the “Al-Amaliqa First Brigade” tried to control the Hassan military checkpoint, which belonging to the Security Belt.

The sources pointed out that the military commander, Al-Sayed, refused to hand over the checkpoint located on the Aden-Shabwa Road, to the elements of Al-Amaliqa, who came from Dhalea and Yafae, threatening to blow up the situation.

The same sources reported that directives were issued to hand over the last checkpoint of the “Security Belt” militia, on the Shabwa road, to the elements of Al-Amaliqa, comes within the framework of the conflict and competition for taxes on the Aden-Shabwa Road.

The sources indicated that the Hassan military checkpoint was generating huge funds estimated at hundreds of millions for the commander of the STC militia in Abyan.

The dispute over levies and royalties may lead to military confrontations between the two sides at any moment.

After taking control of the Aden road towards Shabwa and Hadramout, the UAE-backed militia imposed large levies and royalties on trucks loaded with foodstuffs, not to mention the escalation of acts of banditry  and looting of travelers.

E.M