While the Saudi-led coalition’s principle aim is to eject the Houthis from Sanaa and re-establish President Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi’s government, violent religious extremism has provided a constant distraction – underlined by renewed efforts in South Yemen against forces affiliated to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Islamic State. The UAE has led this push, combining its own operations with financial, logistical and other support for local groups including the Security Belt Forces, Shabwani Elite Forces and Hadhrami Elite Forces, which between them have faced the brunt of the fighting.
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