Saudi-backed forces attack tribal villages in Abyan Yemen after dispute over military site

ABYAN, Jan. 19 (YPA) – Saudi-backed Dera al=Watan forces carried out an armed operation on Sunday targeting villages and civilian homes belonging to members of the Al-Shanin tribe in Lawdar district of Abyan province, southern Yemen.

According to local tribal sources, a military unit affiliated with these forces, stationed in the Al-Halhal area and led by Abdullah Omar al-Damani, launched the operation after tribal sheikhs refused to allow Jabal al-Marbah, located on tribal land, to be turned into a military position, citing concerns over the impact on nearby residential areas.

The source said local residents resisted the deployment and rejected the militarization of their villages, adding that the forces used light and medium weapons during the clashes.

Shelling caused panic among women and children, the source said, forcing several families to flee their homes to safer areas.

In a statement, the Al-Shanin tribe held the Shield of the Homeland leadership fully responsible for what it described as the security and humanitarian consequences of the operation.

The tribe rejected accusations it said were used to justify the attack and reaffirmed its right to protect its land and oppose the establishment of military sites in civilian areas.

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