Saudi Arabia issues final deadline for “Tareq Saleh” to integrate forces, dismantle UAE-backed factions
ADEN, April 18 (YPA) – Informed sources revealed that the Saudi military representative in Aden, Falah Al-Shahrani, has issued a “final warning” to Commander Tareq Saleh.
The ultimatum sets a specific deadline for the integration of his armed factions into the “Ministry of Defense” in the Saudi-backed government and requires all personnel to undergo “iris recognition” (biometric) registration.
Sources confirmed that the integration plan, supervised by the “Special Committee,” aims to dismantle UAE-backed factions and remove them from strategic areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. These moves follow the successful dismantling of the “dissolved” Southern Transitional Council (STC) factions in Aden by Defense Minister Taher Al-Aqili.
Key points of the restructuring plan:
- The sole option: Full compliance with Minister Al-Aqili’s decisions, with no further room for maneuvering or stalling.
- Redeployment: Anticipated removal of Saleh’s factions from strategic coastlines, to be replaced by Saudi-backed factions (Nation’s Shield and Emergency Forces).
- Expanding influence: Ongoing Saudi arrangements to merge forces in Aden, Lahj, and Taiz—comprising six brigades—under the command of Islah Party leader Mehran Al-Qubati.
These measures come amid Saudi efforts to assert full control over vital regions south of the Red Sea, despite resistance from field commanders loyal to the UAE who insist on maintaining their current organizational structure.
It is worth noting that the factions established by the UAE have remained outside the control of the Ministry of Defense in previous governments for the past years, amidst Saudi efforts to deploy its “Dera Al-Watan” and “Emergency” factions in various strategic areas, contributing to the implementation of the American-Israeli project in southern Yemen, specifically in the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the southern Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia has already worked to integrate armed factions in the Taiz and Tur al-Bahah axis in Lahj into what is known as the “7th Dera Al-Watan” Brigade, led by Yusuf al-Sharaji. Currently, Saudi Arabia is making arrangements to integrate forces in Aden, Tur al-Bahah in Lahj, and Taiz, comprising six brigades, and place them under the command loyal to the Islah Party Mehran al-Qubati, whom Riyadh returned to Aden earlier this month after he had left the city seven years ago.
YPA