Saudi committee strips STC leaders of ranks in Aden Amid restructuring moves

ADEN, April 12 (YPA) – The Saudi-backed “Special Committee” in Aden has stripped military leaders affiliated with the “dissolved” Southern Transitional Council (STC) of ranks previously granted to them, in a move seen as part of efforts to curb their influence.

Local sources said the committee, led by Saudi officer Falah Al-Shahrani, has begun revoking positions and cancelling ranks issued by STC chief Aidarous al-Zubaidi to UAE-backed factions earlier this year.

The measures are part of broader plans to restructure armed groups and integrate them into new military formations, amid competition for influence between regionally backed factions.

In a related development, Hadramout witnessed the dismissal of around 650 recruits in Mukalla earlier this month, a move observers say aims to replace forces linked to the STC with units aligned with Riyadh.