Aden (Debriefer) - The Saudi-brokered Riyadh Agreement between Yemen's UN-recognized government and Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) has served as justification for the latter to expand anew into the two southern governorates of Abyan and Shabwa, the Yemeni resigned minister of transportation tweeted on Wednesday.
Its "architects thought the Riyadh deal to be antidote that would alter the STC from rebellious militia into legitimate," Saleh al-Jabwani added.
By means of the pact also, "leaders of legitimacy would be disposed of and the national army would be dubbed as [Muslim] Brotherhood militia.
"This has justified for them to expand into Abyan and Shabwa, reaching Hadhramout Valley and Desert and Mahara."
Aden and some other southern provinces have been under STC control since August 2019, after its forces engaged in violent confrontations with the official government's troops.
On 5 November 2019, Saudi Arabia brokered the Riyadh Agreement that provided for the government to return to Aden and the STC be given portfolios and its unofficial armed units integrated in defense and interior ministries.
On 26 April, the STC announced state of emergency and self-governance in southern provinces under its control, pushing the Kingdom to declare an acceleration mechanism last July.
Under the deal, the STC would reverse its self-governance and pull out its forces from Aden, Abyan would see ceasefire and mutual withdrawal of troops, and a new 24-portfolio government would be formed, with southern provinces given 12 seats 4 of which assigned to the STC.
The new government declaration has been stalled, pending the application of the deal's military section.
After the acceleration mechanism was signed, Jabwani said the United Arab Emirates "succeeded in transforming the coup in Aden into a legitimate authority and maintaining their master as the premier."
