Southern separatist fighters handed over their positions to pro-government forces on Saturday in Lahj province to the south of Yemen, a move displaying a preparation for a fresh potential battle with the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group.
Military sources said that forces affiliated with the the Nation’s Shield Forces took over positions early Saturday in Aerim and Haifan fronts of Tur Al-Baha District in Lahj province.
In early April, a surprise Houthi attack killed 11 southern fighters in Lahj. The Houthi attempted advance was foiled after five hours of fighting.
The Houthi attack occurred despite a lull in fighting that has continued in Yemen since April 2022.
With the Nation’s Shield Forces deployed in Lahj, the Houthis may consider it an act of provocation and may attempt to launch fresh attacks.
The Shield Forces were established by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in January last year with support from Saudi Arabia. Sources estimate that it has about 15000 fighters, and its commander is Brigadier General Bashir Al-Mudharibi, who belongs to Lahj province.
Since the start of the Houthi attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea in November, peace talks have been derailed. The Houthis say their attacks are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 34000 people.
As the group began mobilizing more fighters and preparing for a long war, the Yemeni government has said reaching peace with the Houthis will not be possible.
On Thursday, Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Mohsen Al-Daari in the Yemeni UN-recognized government, said, “The appropriate solution to secure international navigation is to support the government and the armed forces to liberate the areas under the control of the Houthi group.”
Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, in mid-April, expressed concerns over escalating tensions on the frontlines, warning that the political process in Yemen is at risk of becoming “collateral damage” amid expanding regional conflict.
He indicated that hostilities have recently escalated on several frontlines, particularly in Al Dhale’ and Lahj. Besides, troop movements, intermittent fighting, and exchanges of fire have also been reported in Al-Hudaydah, Marib, Sa’adah, Shabwah, and Taiz governorates.
Grundberg warned, “If we leave Yemen’s political process in the waiting room and continue down this path of escalation, the consequences could be catastrophic, not only for Yemen, but also for the wider region.”
