The Saudi-led coalition supporting the legitimate government in Yemen said that any military actions by the separatist group Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the eastern province of Hadramaut that contradict de-escalation efforts will be blocked in order to protect civilians, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, quoted by BTA.
The statement by the coalition spokesman, General Turki al-Malki, is in response to the request of the chairman of Yemen's Presidential Guidance Council, Rashad al-Alimi. The request calls on the coalition to take immediate measures to protect civilians in Hadramaut from "abuses committed by armed groups affiliated with the SDF", Reuters added.
The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council earlier this month ousted the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government from its seat in Aden and said it exercises broad control over the country's southern regions.
Yesterday, the SDF rejected Saudi Arabia's call for its forces to withdraw from territory it seized earlier this month, saying it would continue to provide security in the eastern provinces of Hadramaut and Mahra.