DUBAI (Sputnik) — Saudi Araba and the United Arab Emirates plan to create a security belt in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden and its province, Aden’s governor said Saturday.
Governor Nayef Bakri told the Asharq Al-Awsat Arab daily newspaper that Saudi and UAE military brigades were tasked with forming a "security belt" in the province "in line with the strategy to back military efforts and security, as well as to protect the recent military gains."
In mid-July, Aden was recaptured from Shiite Houthi rebels by armed forces loyal to exiled Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi with air support from the Saudi-led coalition.
Saudi air forces and their Arab allies have been pounding Houthi positions since March 25, followed by a SA-UAE ground operation this August.