South Yemen separatists, funded by Emirati Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, have taken control of the southern port city of Aden including the presidential palace, after days of fighting with Saudi troops turned the strategic city into a blood-bath.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed on a visit to London
Sheikh Khalifa officially pulled out Emirati troops from South Yemen only weeks ago, leaving the Saudis short-handed and struggling to maintain the strategic city, in what seemed a bizarre retreat. His motives became clear when the Emirati backed separatists launched an attack on Saudi forces and took control of the city. Mohammed bin Salman is apparently furious following the latest development in the now 5 year war with Yemen which has seen the breakup of the coalition under the growing cloud of humanitarian crisis.
The latest round of fighting in Aden left around 40 people dead and 260 injured, according to preliminary reports cited by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. “It is heart-breaking that during Eid al-Adha, families are mourning the death of their loved ones instead of celebrating together in peace and harmony” said Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen.
