ADEN, Aug 13 (NNN-YPA) – Tension between units of the Yemeni government forces, flared up yesterday, as the newly-formed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), insisted on removing rebellious security officers from their positions, in the oil-rich province of Shabwa.
According to a local Yemeni official, who asked to remain anonymous, “Military leaders, affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood Islah party, mobilised their units in the neighbouring province of Marib and began advancing towards Shabwa, that witnessed deadly fighting during the past days.”
He clarified that “areas near Shabwa’s borders are still witnessing sporadic fighting, as the Islah party insists on capturing the authority in Shabwa from the other rival forces.”
Earlier yesterday, the Islah party issued a statement, threatening to withdraw its representatives from the PLC, as well as, the government, in protest against the latest events in Shabwa.
Another official of Shabwa’s local government said, “The country’s ministers of defence and interior, are still attempting to convince the rebellious officers, to stand aside and hand over their armoured vehicles and heavy weapons to the new leaders appointed by the PLC.”
“But the Islah’s statement, aborted the efforts that are being exerted by the Yemeni ministers, which aimed at normalising the situation on-ground and ending the deadly infighting between pro-government forces,” he said.
On Monday, the PLC appointed new leaders to lead the special security units, linked to the Islah party, triggering deadly street fighting between rival security units in Ataq, the provincial capital of Shabwa.
On Wednesday, the governor of Shabwa ordered the southern Giants Brigades troops, to carry out a military operation to crack down on the rebellious troops and secure the local state facilities in the province.
The death toll from the clashes in Shabwa increased to 28, and the injured to 68, a medical official said, on Thursday.– NNN-YPA
