Saudi takes command of coalition forces in Yemen's Aden

Saudi Arabian officers have taken command of the Arab Coalition’s forces stationed in Aden after reaching a deal with southern Yemeni separatists backed by the UAE, news agencies reported on Sunday.

“Coalition forces have been repositioned in Aden to come under the kingdom’s command and redeployed to conform to the requirements of current operations,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. “The Coalition Command announced that under its continuous efforts to coordinate military and security operation plans and enhance humanitarian and relief action in Yemen, its forces have been repositioned [in Aden] to come under the Kingdom’s command, and redeployed to conform with the requirements of current operations.” The move is also expected to strengthen the efforts to secure international waterways along the Yemeni coastline.

According to the news agency, the Saudi-led coalition thanked UAE forces for their contribution to the success of operations in which they acted “with utmost skill and effectiveness”. It stressed that it will carry on its mission until security and stability for all Yemenis, including the government, are achieved.

Early this morning, meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Yemen’s southern separatists had reached an initial power-sharing deal with the Yemeni government. The deal, said Al Jazeera, will end the power struggle in the south of the country as the separatists would become part of a new Yemeni ministerial council. Saudi Arabia apparently brokered the reconciliation efforts, and a draft agreement might be announced within two days.

The separatists in the south of Yemen were trained and backed by the UAE, which was accused by many sides of working to split the country.

UNICEF: Over 5,000 children killed, injured in Yemen war