Saudi Arabia allows deployment of new forces in Mukalla

HADRAMOUT, July 11 (YPA) – Saudi Arabia on Tuesday allowed new forces to deploy in Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout, Southern media reported.

According to the media reports, Saudi Arabia had allowed the second military region, based on the Hadramout coast, to deploy forces sent from the Saudi border to Mukalla.

This comes to undermine the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council ( STC) ‘s presence in the province, which is strategically located in eastern Yemen.

The forces are belonging to “Dera Al-Watan Forces” funded by Saudi Arabia, which is led by Rashad al-Alimi, head of the “Presidential Leadership Council” and is under the supervision of Sultan al-Buqami, commander of the support forces in the Saudi-led coalition, the reports stated.

According to the reports, these forces will secure vital facilities in Mukalla.

Saudi Arabia’s deployment of pro-Saudi forces in Mukalla coincides with an expected escalation of the second “Hadrami uprising”, the STC’s most prominent ally, where demonstrations are expected to be held at the district  to overthrow the Hadramout authority, which recently legitimized the formation of a pro-Saudi National Governing Council in the province.

E.M