Attack on Shabwa Defense Forces commander’s home

A security source told South24 Center that late last night, an armed attack targeted the house of the Shabwa Defense Forces commander, Brigadier General Ali Saleh Al-Kulaibi, in the Ain District of Shabwa Governorate.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss security issues with the media, told South24 Centre that the attack was carried out by several unidentified gunmen using light weapons and a hand grenade.

The attack did not cause any casualties and the attackers managed to flee the scene, according to the source. 

So far, no one has claimed responsibility.

The Shabwa Defense Forces, made up of seven brigades, are one of the most prominent military formations within the Southern forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council. They played a major role in fighting AQAP and expelling forces loyal to the Yemeni Islah Party from Shabwa in August 2022.

Al-Kulaibi began his tenure as the Shabwa Defense Forces commander following a four-day battle in the city of Ataq in August 2022, in which local authorities and Southern forces fought against forces loyal to the Islamic Islah Party.

Before filling his current position, Al-Kulaibi had served as the commander of the 19th Infantry Brigade, one of the government brigades in the Beihan military axis, before announcing his defection due to the events in Ataq.