Saudi military reinforcements arrive in Aden

ADEN, Aug. 22 (YPA) – Saudi Arabia has deployed fresh military reinforcements to Aden in recent hours, reportedly as part of efforts to escalate tensions along the front lines bordering Sanaa forces in Lahj province and on Yemen’s western coast.

Sources familiar with the matter in the city confirmed the arrival of new military units and vehicles belonging to the Saudi-backed “Dera Al-Watan” forces, traveling from Hadramout through Shabwa and Abyan as part of Riyadh’s ongoing military reinforcements since establishing full control over Aden.

The sources noted that the arrival of reinforcements aims to reinforce Saudi-backed “Dera Al-Watan” factions and restore stability in Aden following backlash from local commanders. The friction stems from the ongoing detention of former Salafi commander Bassam al-Mahdhar by the Saudi Special Committee, shortly after his dismissal and summons to Riyadh in early July.

In addition to internal command disputes, the Saudi-backed forces seek to curb rising popular protests throughout Aden, where demonstrators are calling for an immediate end to Saudi control over local affairs.

Meanwhile, separate sources reported that elements of the Saudi-backed “Dera Al-Watan” forces have begun a partial withdrawal from Aden, moving in separate columns along the coastal highway toward Lahj province.

The sources said these troop movements could be aimed at reinforcing front lines bordering Sanaa forces in southern Taiz or redeploying the forces toward Yemen’s western coast as part of Riyadh’s ongoing military preparations in the area, following heavy strikes by Sanaa forces on camps in Mocha in recent days.

@E.Y.M