Local sources have revealed that UAE-backed mercenaries have relocated from Yemen’s west coast and headed towards the port city of Aden, which the Southern Transitional Council (STC) claims as a capital for a future South Yemen state.

Axar.az reports citing MEE that the sources, according to Al Jazeera, said that the “Giants Brigades” had withdrawn from its military bases following orders by the Emirati Force Command in Aden – which is currently under STC control after it was seized from the Saudi-backed Yemeni government in August.

Al-Manar TV reported that this decision was made following an apparent failure in attempts to negotiate a handover of the city by the separatists to the pro-Saudi Yemeni authorities.

There has been increased escalation in clashes between Saudi-backed forces against the Emirati-supported “security-belt” troops in the country’s south. Adel Al-Hassani, commander of the Southern Resistance forces, reportedly told Al Jazeera that the arrival of the Giants Brigades is due to the tactical advances made by the pro-Saudi forces.