Security Belt

The Security Belt (Arabic: الحزام الأمني), also known as the al-Hizam Brigade,[1] is a militia based in Southern Yemen. Operating in the governorates of Aden, Lahij and Abyan, the militia is heavily supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[2] It has faced accusations of human rights abuses, and of being under the control of the UAE, despite officially being subordinate to Yemen’s Interior Ministry.[3] The Security Belt has fought against Islah, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s Yemeni branch.[4] The militia supports the Southern Transitional Council.[5]

According to reporting by The Associated Press, Security Belt is responsible for security at Beir Ahmed, a prison in Aden that has repotredly been the site of extensive torture and human rights violations.[6][7]

In the Battle of Aden (2018), Mount Hadid, which was run by Major General Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, and overlooked the 1st Brigade of the militia, came under attack by the Government of Yemen.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Radman, Hossam (9 November 2017). "Yemeni War: Saudi Arabia and the Emirates". al Ahram. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Yemen: UAE Backs Abusive Local Forces". Human Rights Watch. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  3. ↑ Michael, Maggie (22 June 2017). "Inside Yemen's secret prisons: 'We could hear the screams'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  4. ↑ Cafiero, Giorgio (21 November 2017). "Defeating IS in Yemen". al-Monitor. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  5. ↑ Brothers no more: Yemen's Islah party faces collapse of Aden alliances Middle East Eye, October 21, 2017
  6. ↑ al-Haj, Ahmed; Michael, Maggie (July 9, 2018). "Yemen demands Emirates shut down prisons where abuses rife". The Associated Press. But several security officials told the AP there was no change in control of any facilities and that Beir Ahmed remained under the control of the Security Belt, a militia armed and funded by the UAE.
  7. ↑ Michael, Maggie (June 21, 2018). "Detainees held without charges decry Emiratis' sexual abuses". The Associated Press.
  8. ↑ "معسكر اللواء 39 مدرع يقصف جبل حديد بالسلاح الثقيل [The 39th Armored Brigade is shelling Iron Mountain with heavy weapons]". alomanaa.net. 29 January 2018.


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