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are uae backed militias operating in yemen **Yes, UAE-backed militias are actively operating in Yemen.** [1][2] ## Key Groups These militias include the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Security Belt Forces, Elite Forces, Hadrami Elite Forces, Shabwani Elite Forces, and Giants Brigades. The UAE has trained, funded, and armed them since around 2017, often supplying Western weapons like US armored vehicles and Belgian machine guns. [1][3][10] ## Recent Operations In early December 2025, STC forces rapidly seized parts of the oil-rich Hadramaut province, including cities like Seiyun and areas near oil fields, clashing with Saudi-backed groups and government-aligned units. This offensive disrupted a fragile truce, escalating proxy tensions between UAE and Saudi interests amid Yemen's ongoing civil war stalemate. [2][4][5][8][9] ## Broader Context These groups control southern territories, advocate for secession, and have faced accusations of war crimes, including torture in secret prisons, while countering Houthi advances and rivals like Islah. Their expansion risks further fragmenting Yemen and worsening the humanitarian crisis. [1][3][6] Citations: [1] Yemen: UAE recklessly supplying militias with windfall of Western ... https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/02/yemen-uae-recklessly-supplying-militias-with-windfall-of-western-arms/ [2] In Yemen, Separatist Forces Backed by UAE March Into Oil-Rich ... https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/world/middleeast/yemen-militias-attack-oil-uae.html [3] The UAE's Three Strategic Interests in Yemen - AGSI https://agsi.org/analysis/the-uaes-three-strategic-interests-in-yemen/ [4] Saudi Arabia and the UAE proxy war flares up again in Yemen's https://www.avapress.com/en/news/339573/saudi-arabia-and-the-uae-proxy-war-flares-up-again-in-yemen-s-hadramaut [5] UAE-backed militia seizes major Yemeni city after clashes in ... https://thecradle.co/articles/uae-backed-militia-seizes-major-yemeni-city-after-clashes-in-hadhramaut [6] UAE-backed militia captures Yemeni city in oil-rich province - Canary https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2025/12/04/uae-yemen-oil/ [7] UAE is back at it, causing chaos and trying to split Yemen while ... https://www.reddit.com/r/AskMiddleEast/comments/1pebit9/uae_is_back_at_it_causing_chaos_and_trying_to/ [8] 2025 Hadhramaut offensive - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Hadhramaut_offensive [9] Allies at Odds: Yemen's Hadhramaut Has Become the Latest Front ... https://orinocotribune.com/allies-at-odds-yemens-hadhramaut-has-become-the-latest-front-in-the-saudi-emirati-struggle/ [10] Joint Forces on the West Coast | ACLED https://acleddata.com/profile/joint-forces-west-coast Perplexity