ISIS Explodes a UAE Military Kitchen, Southern Yemen: Report

Yamanyoon

At least four people have been killed in a Daesh suicide attack against the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-backed forces today, a source reported to Yamanyoon.

The Suicider was in a car, which smashed into a military kitchen hall serving the Saudi-paid militias in the coastal province, northern Aden. Daesh claimed responsibility for the operation in its media, saying that more than 30 backed forces were killed.

The incident follows an attack last month by ISIS on a counter-terrorism unit headquarters based in Aden province, taking the lives of more than 14 people and injuring 40. Suicide bombers detonated two cars laden with explosives at the camp’s entrance whilst up to six gunmen stormed the unit.

The UAE owns 3 security forces, who were trained and recruited by UAE, and they are “Security Belt Forces (also referred to as Al-Hizam Brigades) largely deployed in southwest Yemen; the Hadrami Elite Forces deployed in the governorate of the Hadramawt; and the Shabwani Elite Forces deployed to southern Shabwa”, according to a 29-page counter-terrorism report published last month.

According to a report by Yemen experts for the UN, the UAE-backed forces are primarily made up of Yemenis recruited from southern governorates, are paid an average of $800 per month and have been deployed in Abyan, Aden, and Lahij provinces.

The UAE entered Yemen in 2015 as part of the Saudi-led coalition. All of the UAE’s military and political efforts focus on southern Yemen, where it has supported the Southern Transitional Council since last year.