"In a statement, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatist group said it would continue to operate in Hadramout and AlMahra provinces that were seized in December, adding that it had agreed to the deployment of Saudi-backed National Shield government forces to those areas. "Today, we launched an operation to integrate the southern National Shield forces so that they can assume the responsibilities and missions that fall to our armed forces," the STC announced."
"Hadramout borders Saudi Arabia and is home to Yemen's largest oil fields and the Dhabba oil terminal on the Arabian Sea. Al-Mahra, meanwhile, has proposed routes for new oil pipelines that will allow Saudi oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is a major chokepoint for global oil trade, which Iran has repeatedly threatened to blockade. The Saudi government has repeatedly urged the STC to withdraw from the two territories, particularly areas along its southern border, to protect its national security."
The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) agreed to the deployment of Saudi-backed National Shield government forces to Hadramout and al-Mahra while stating it will continue to operate in those provinces. The STC announced an operation to integrate the National Shield forces so they can assume responsibilities previously held by STC armed forces. Hadramout and al-Mahra are strategically important for Saudi security and oil logistics: Hadramout contains Yemen's largest oil fields and the Dhabba terminal, while al-Mahra offers pipeline routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Riyadh seeks full STC withdrawal from border areas to address security concerns.
Read at www.dw.com
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