Ataq (South24) 

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Several members from the Southern Giants Forces were killed and wounded today's afternoon in a missile attack, believed to be by the Houthi, on a camp in Shabwa governorate, South Yemen.

Local sources and media outlet stated that at least six soldiers from the 12th Giants Brigade were killed and wounded in the attack that targeted "Al-Khumama" camp in the Lower Markha district of Shabwa governorate.

The attack took place hours after the forces took control on the camp as part of a new repositioning plan in preparation for an upcoming military operation.

Official authorities have not yet announced the total death toll for the attack. Nor did the Houthis claim responsibility for the attack.

Activists claimed that the injured were taken to Ataq Main Hospital for treatment. Local sources said that the hospital sent calls to donate blood.

The new governor of Shabwa, Awad Al-Wazir, arrived at the hospital to check on the condition of the injured, according to viral photos by activists.

This is the second attack in two days, since the Giants Brigades arrived in Shabwa Governorate, coming from the West Coast, last Monday.

Ataq airport was hit by two missiles, believed to have been launched by the Houthi rebels, on Tuesday evening, but the attack did not result in casualties, according to an official in the Giants Forces.

"Sleeper cells"

STC officials did not rule out that these attacks were in cooperation with local parties (sleeper cells) that were "affected by the recent political and military changes."

STC senior official Ahmed bin Fareed called for the need for "security and intelligence work to rectify the situation," and to strengthen the Coalition for "the elements of defense and attack."

The Giants Brigades arrived in Shabwa, as part of a new military operation, under the Saudi-led Coalition supervision to liberate Beihan districts, north of Shabwa, which the Houthis took control of in mid-September.

The attack coincides with the arrival of the newly appointed governor of Shabwa Governorate, Awad Mohammad Al-Awlaqi, to Shabwa's capital city, Ataq, from Saudi Arabia.

Last Saturday, the Yemeni president dismissed the former governor of Shabwa, Mohammad bin Adyo, who has close relations with the Islah party, which is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen, following accusations that the local authorities were involved in handing over the Houthis three districts, north of the governorate, without a resistance.

Observers believe that the appointment of a new governor of Shabwa will speed up the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement signed between the STC and the government of Hadi in November 2019 in Riyadh. 

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South24 Center for News and Studies

Photo: In front of Ataq Hospital in Shabwa, Thursday, December 30, 2021 (activists)