The attack on the Yemeni base of Al-Anad caused Gulf reactions and interactions that were not without controversy, especially after a tweet that conveyed statements about the attack by the so-called military spokesman for the southern armed forces.
Yemeni sources reported the killing and wounding of dozens of soldiers in an attack on Al-Anad Air Base in Lahj Governorate (southern of the country) today, Sunday. Some sources attributed the attack to the Houthis, noting that it was carried out by missiles and drones.
In the midst of the incoming news, the "Al-Hadath al-Yemeni" account of the "Al-Arabiya-Al-Hadath" channel on Twitter transmitted a story by Lt. Col. Muhammad al-Naqib, who described the account as a military spokesman for the Southern Armed Forces of the Southern Transitional Council;
This sparked the ire of Saudi tweeters, as these forces are not officially recognized, and are hostile to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.
If this account is affiliated with Al-Arabiya / Al-Hadath channel, it is surprising that a Saudi channel recognizes and relies on dissident forces rebelling against the Yemeni army, which is recognized by Saudi Arabia and internationally.
Especially since what the channel calls the Southern Forces and its (Transitional) political umbrella have disrupted the Riyadh Agreement and expelled the Saudi-backed unity government.
https://t.co/zwVr8HkGnn
- Suleiman Al-Aqeli (@aloqeliy) August 29, 2021
Saudi political writer Suleiman Al-Aqili said, "If this account is affiliated with Al-Arabiya-Al-Hadath, it is surprising that a Saudi channel recognizes and relies on dissident forces rebelling against the Yemeni army, which is recognized by Saudi Arabia and internationally."
The time has come to achieve the right in #Yemen and expose the spies and agents.
— Salman Al-Ansari (@Salansar1) August 29, 2021
Al-Aqili added that "what the channel calls the Southern Forces and its (transitional) political umbrella have disrupted the Riyadh Agreement and expelled the Saudi-backed unity government."
Political analyst Salman Al-Ansari also commented, "It is time to achieve the right in Yemen and to expose collaborators and agents."
A deleted tweet referring to the military spokesman for the Southern Armed Forces (communication sites)
The Al-Hadath Al-Yemeni account had published the tweet at noon today, Sunday, before it was later deleted.
And the French Press Agency quoted a local government official as saying that the Houthis targeted the base with missiles and drones, while Yemeni media reported that 3 missiles were fired at the base, and eyewitnesses reported that the attack was carried out by a drone.
In early 2019, the same base was attacked by the Houthi group during a military parade, which resulted in the killing of the head of military intelligence and soldiers from the Yemeni army.