UAE-backed separatists rescind ‘coup’ in south Yemen

After three long-days of fighting, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council’s (STC) forces handed back two military bases to internationally recognised President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s government yesterday, Reuters reported.

Saudi Arabia, which is leading a coalition of Arab states mandated by Hadi in March 2015, mediated the halt in violence in Aden.

“Government institutions were handed back and the [southern] militias withdrew,” a government source said.

On Tuesday, the Gov forces in #Aden followed the orders of President Hadi& withdrew from all the so-called “southern transitional council” locations it previously controlled right after the rebellion, only to be surprised by a breach of the cease-fire & a supported counter attack

— Yemen Embassy D.C. (@YemenEmbassy_DC) January 31, 2018

Today, all military locations (including bases) of the Government forces (including all Presidential Protection Brigades) in #Aden are under the control of the Government and supported by additional military units previously stationed at #Yemen’s western coastal front.

— Yemen Embassy D.C. (@YemenEmbassy_DC) January 31, 2018

Today, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah expressed rejection of “illegitimate powers” attacking Yemen’s government in south Yemen.

The UAE-backed STC morphed into a political actor in Yemen in May 2017. The Emirates continued to financially, politically and militarily assist the STC to realise its secession goal from northern Yemen. The UAE’s activities in the southern Yemen undermine the original Saudi-led coalition mission to neutralise threats by the Houthis and support a united Yemen.

The confrontation between the UAE-backed STC forces and Hadi’s national army in Aden resulted in the death of 21 and the injury of 290 in two days of fighting.

Read: UAE-backed separatists support ex-president’s party in north Yemen