STC rejects arrival of Saudi-backed “Emergency” forces in Aden; tribal mobilization escalates

ADEN, Sept. 14 (YPA) – The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced on Monday its absolute rejection of the entry of Saudi-funded “Emergency” forces into Aden, warning Riyadh against what it termed a “provocative step.”

In an official statement, the STC accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to re-impose its influence in Aden, stating that these Saudi-backed forces previously killed STC personnel during clashes in Hadramout governorate last January. The STC stated that the entry of these forces poses a direct threat to social peace and held the Saudi-backed authorities fully responsible for any consequences.

The STC urged residents of Aden and neighboring southern provinces to maintain high vigilance and stand united.

Concurrently, large armed tribal groups from Radfan and Dhalea have mobilized to confront the Emergency forces, seeking retaliation for past casualties and alleged abuses by these units.

These escalations follow the leak of an official document on Sunday authorizing a military convoy—comprising 51 Saudi-backed vehicles, weaponry, and 161 personnel led by Sultan Al-Olayi—to transit from Mukalla to Aden.

Meanwhile, local media and field sources reported that the Emergency forces reached the Ma’sheeq Presidential Palace in Aden overnight without encountering resistance at the city’s eastern checkpoints.

YPA