News - Yemen: The escape of ten prisoners belonging to al-Qaeda from the military police prison in Seiyun, which is controlled by the Islah Party, raised the fears of the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC).

The STC was quick to accuse Saudi Arabia of being behind the operation. It said in a TV report that the one responsible for smuggling al-Qaeda members is the one who supports the activity of the terrorist organization in the governorates of Abyan, Hadramout and Shabwa, in a clear reference to Saudi Arabia and the Islah Party.

This is the second escape this year. Last April, ten al-Qaeda leaders escaped from the same prison.
 
The escape of al-Qaeda members from a prison belonging to the Islah party in Seiyun comes in conjunction with a campaign of accusations by the STC against Saudi Arabia using the terrorism card to enhance Saudi influence in the areas of coalition control in southern and eastern Yemen.
 
Abdullah Mubarak al-Ghaithi, a leader loyal to the STC, has accused Saudi Arabia on Wednesday of "resorting to al-Qaeda to target the STC."
 
Al-Ghaithi tweeted that the STC is being targeted by Saudi Arabia, “the big sister.” He pointed out that it is using the Islah Party and its al-Qaeda arm to target the STC.

“Saudi Arabia is seeking to rebuke the STC and prevent it from controlling its areas of influence,” he added.
 
The leadership of the STC has repeated, on more than one occasion, its accusations against Saudi Arabia, in coordination with the Islah Party and Al-Qaeda, to wage a joint battle against the STC in the southern governorates.

Observers believe that the countries involved in aggression no longer take into account the international community's concerns about supporting terrorist groups. Especially since the leaders of al-Qaeda have already admitted more than once that they are fighting alongside the coalition in Yemen.

US and British media had previously published reports revealing support and financing relations provided by Saudi Arabia and the UAE to terrorist groups in Yemen.

The Pandora Documents report, issued in January last year, said that Saudi Arabia provided heavy weapons and modern military equipment to terrorist groups in Yemen.

Political analysts believe that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi's support for terrorist organizations comes with the approval of Washington, which is planning direct intervention in Yemen using the pretext of "fighting terrorism."

During the past three months, al-Qaeda began using drone technology in its attacks on factions loyal to the UAE in the governorates of Abyan and Shabwa.