Yemen: Clashes in Ataq between Al-Islah and the STC forces

Clashes escalated near Ataq Airport and the government complex in the Shabwa governorate between Al-Islah party military forces and other Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council forces according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent.

The correspondent pointed out that "the UAE-backed Giants Brigades are sending military reinforcements to the city of Ataq, the capital of Shabwa Governorate in eastern Yemen, to support its forces in the face of forces affiliated with the Al-Islah party." Al Mayadeen's correspondent also pointed out that several were left dead or wounded as a result of these confrontations.

Our correspondent added that confrontations have been ongoing for three consecutive days between the Shabwa Defense Forces and the Giants Brigades, both of which are UAE-backed, on the one hand, and the Special Forces alongside the 21-Mika Brigade loyal to the Al-Islah Party fight on the other.

For his part, the UAE-affiliated governor of Shabwa, Awad Al-Wazir, announced the implementation of a counter-military operation to confront the military forces loyal to the Al-Islah Party, in order to "impose security and stability in the province."

The UAE-affiliated Southern Transitional Council said that "the Shabwa governorate is facing a military rebellion against the leadership of the local authority and the decisions of the Presidential Council," adding that "full support for the measures announced by the governor of Shabwa, including holding those involved in this coup accountable and referring them to trial for their betrayal of military honor and rebellion against their leadership."